COMMONWEALTH public servants are no longer entitled to claim damages for accidents on the way to work or during lunch breaks after an overhaul aimed at slashing the cost of their compensation scheme. (By Annabelle Crabb SMH 04 July 2007)
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20 comments:
I hope and pray that Mr Gaetjens makes a full recovery from his injuries.
I also hope this might make a heartless government rethink it's stance on the issue of workers' compensation.
This action by the Howard government is typical of a government that is morally bankrupt. Have similar changes been made to Parliamentary compensation arrangements?
Thank you for publicising the unfair workers compensation laws.
This issue needs much more attention in the lead up to the next federal election.
I am concerned that Labor have mentioned the possibility of an 'income protection' scheme.
THIS IS NOT ENOUGH.
It is the medical bills that can be huge and these ALSO need to be included in the scheme.
PLEASE PLEASE make the politicians of all persuasions aware that what happened is just so wrong.
It may save the government money in the short term - but in the long term it will cost so much more. This is because injured people will not be able to afford the money to get the necessary treatment to get them back to work and they will end up on social security payments: not a dignified way to live after serving the government.
Since the commonwealth has deemed that they are no longer responsible to protect workers while travelling to work/home, or even when having to purchase lunch, i am dumbfounded as to why they have not even suggested insurance companies who we could personally engage with private insurance to cover us for medical, wages and damages in a compensation matter.
While searching i have found it very difficult to find a simple guide or table of insurance brokers/companies who will supply this service at a reasonable price for a worker on an average wage.
Do you know if there is anyone offering a service such as this at a reasonable price?
While i do not agree or condone the removal of such pre existing conditions of service, i am even more concerned that as at this time, we are not covered by insurance. I feel that this is important to have in place while continuing the fight to reinstate what is a basic Australian working condition.
Geoff
I have been working for State and Federal Governments for 22 years and seen many changes.
One feels rather helpless in the modern working world.
The American ideology of greed and consumerism has changed the values of many people.
Executives with million dollar salaries exert unstoppable downward pressure upon those who have to generate their wealth.
An endless line of brainless managers with slide shows of unworkable stupidity, restructure us until our enjoyment of work gives way to hopelessness.
These people now have Workchoices to further their interests and to "dumb us down and cut our pay" as Paul Keating put it.
Surrounded by such depression, I hop on my trusty pushbike and ride the half hour to work along the river and through the suburbs.
The back streets offer sanctuary from the smog, the rat race and the impatient drivers.
The simple push bike - the most fuel efficient machine man has produced - additionally evokes empowerment to do something for the planet, reduce traffic, raise fitness and morale.
It has taken a while, but the final pleasure I derive from work - that being the journey there and back - has been discovered by this Government.
I used to wear two helmets - one on my head and the other was the knowledge that if I got hurt, I could still pay my bills to the companies run by the million-dollar Executives.
Our Government has formed the view that I am not an asset worth protecting until I actually get there.
Fine, well, my corresponding view of them has gone from simple disgust to an absolute loathing as a result of this latest move on worker's compensation rights.
Like so many other like-minded Australians, I have had enough of being punished for being a worker and not an obese business executive.
Nothing, now, can change my vote at the next election.
John B
The changes to compensation entitlements are an attack on Worker's Rights. Staff where I work are stressed from directions from management and the whole direction that management have taken in running the office on a daily basis. This is evidence by anger, frustration, tears etc expressed by staff and the amount of leave taken.
These management directions would be seen in any other workplace as bullying. Management claim they are just the way Centrelink places it's focus at present eg Queue management. I feel like I am in Orwell's book "1984", and we workers are being manipulated to suit economic costings.
The only way this type of workplace management will be stopped, is with a change of Government. The majority of staff complaining are the ones who voted for Howard in the first place.
Thanks for the opportunity to comment
Jill
I'm an employee of the ACT Public Service who is also affected by the new worker's compensation laws.
I was injured on the way to work recently when I was hit crossing a rode by a cyclist. The new laws impact in ways that will affect long term - I didn't take enough recovery time off and therefore may have long term neck and head problems(due to my concern about having enough leave). I also have ongoing physio and medical costs.
There are no third party laws when it comes to bikes, so where do I go for compemnsation for an 'accident' that wasn't my fault (he was speeding, and didn't indicate he was turning the corner, mind you the *$%# also didn't offer help or give his name), so where is my recourse Mr Howard?? Like so many others under this dictatorship I have little choice, I just have to just suck it up.
I think you will find that Peter Costello will find some out clause to make sure Phil Gaetjens will be covered by Comcare. It's just that the same rule will not apply to the rest of us.
I too feel very sorry for Mr Phil Gaetjens and trust he will have a speedy and full recovery. However, I wonder whether with the friends he has in high places that his case may be pushed through the Comcare system - was he on lunch at the time or was he returning to/going from the office on business related purposes?
I used to walk two kilometres to and from my desk job. Now, just to ensure I have insurance cover, I drive my large 4wd to and from work. This is bad news for my health, the environment, and city traffic and parking. Where is the benefit in this? Amazing what the Liberals are doing now that the Australian Democrats no longer have the Senate balance of power.
Having sat on a OH&S Commitee of a Federal Government department for four years, I can tell you that too and from work travel compensation claims had been on the rise. Rather than deal with the issues of increased workload, workplace bullying and longer hours the Howard Government again chose to cut costs and its responsibility as an employer. Now I have to have income replacement insurance at extra cost to me. Thanks so much Mr Howard.
John B, patently the Americans do not possess a monopoly on greed and insensitivity to fellow workers. It is apparently rampant in Australia. Australia does not need to choose the worst of other counries' behaviour. Instead we need to fix the blame where it belongs and work towards making the workplace a fairer, safer and more equitable place for all.
As a Commonwealth public servant, I do not like the lessening of coverage under the Comcare scheme. It must be asked however, is Mr Gaetjens a public servant? He has been with Peter Costello for many years and may have been hired directly by Mr Costello. If not a public servant then presumably he falls under the private ACT scheme which covers journey claims.
Political capital shouldn't be made of this undfortunate person's accident.
I'm sorry union organisers, but I was bitterly disappointed to see these changes introduced without even knowing about them. This is one of the biggest attacks on workers rights I have seen and i can't believe it was allowed to happen without strenuous opposition. I'm nervous now walking across the street at lunchtime ... sorry I just can't believe we allowed this.
Commonwealth public servants are no longer entitled to claim damages for accidents on the way to work or during lunch breaks after an overhaul aimed at slashing the cost of their compensation scheme.
I am now extremely irate after reading the SMH article recently, regarding changes to compensation regarding travel to & from work & during lunchtime for Commonwealth public sector workers.
This change is extremely detrimental, in many ways. For example, in my previous role as Research Librarian for a media organisation I was walking along Sussex St early one morning on my way to work, as I started work that week at 7am. I was assaulted as I walked along the street, punched in the face by a homeless man - I was knocked to the ground & suffered extensive bruising and facial contusions. As a result I had about 1 week off work, and was covered by insurance (workers compensation, as I was on my way to work).
So, if this circumstance, or similar were to happen now, I assume I would not be covered under workers compensation, as I am now employed by a Federal Government body, AUSTRAC?
As far as I'm aware there has been no consultation with Commonwealth staff regarding this change, and all my colleagues who I have discussed this with today cannot believe that these legislative changes have occurred. These changes must be overturned, as this is discriminatory if other workers e.g. those in private industry, are still covered in the same circumstances, i.e. to and from work and during lunchtimes.
Regards,
Nora Martin
From Deromt Browne
CPSU Communications Director
I just want to address the point raised above by "Anonymous"
"I'm sorry union organisers, but I was bitterly disappointed to see these changes introduced without even knowing about them."
For the last ten years the CPSU has campaigned in the workplace and lobbied politicians from all sides to ensure public sector compensation arrangement were not cut.
This strategy was effective up until the Coalition won control of the Senate in 2004.
Because it now controls the Senate, the Howard Government can introduce whatever legislation it feels like.
Since 2004 the CPSU has;
- argued publicly against the changes
- kept members informed about the passage of the legislation
- lobbied Opposition parties to oppose the changes - which they did.
- organised online and marginal seat email protests
- put our case directly to the Government
- made submissions to various Government inquires
- sought legal advice on alternatives.
Clearly none of this has been enough to stop the Government introducing these unfair changes.
Could we have done more? Possibly, but our assessment is that like the unfair WorkChoices legislation, this Government would have made the changes anyway.
So where does this leave us?
Firstly we need to keep the pressure on Coalition MPs in marginal seats.
Secondly we need to demonstrate to a potential alternative Government that we are serious about this issue.
Thirdly we will continuing to look for alternatives that would ensure CPSU members are not unfairly exposed by these changes.
As the election get closer it is important to remember who cut this coverage - the Howard Goverment.
Thanks
Dermot Browne
I would like to know why there was no knowledge of what was happening. We seem to have lost our workers compensation conditions without anyone having the opportunity to contest the issues. Why hasn't this had a higher profile? Why hasn't it been an issue that has been raised in the collective agreement process and why has their been little or no action to highlight the injustice.
I am equally concerned at the abolishment of WC coverage for journey claims for a number of reasons:
1. I read here that several people have given up "healthy" ways of traveling to work via foot or bicycle out of concern of non coveraged injury
2. I used to work at a workplace covered by state OH&S/WC law and one day a guy coming into work was assaulted by a drunk and had to have a week off. Fortunately he was covered, the employer was supportive and took the trouble to advise everyone that he had had medical treatment and was recovering plus they would post an earlier security guard on the street. I also read ages ago in a newspaper article of a federal public servant being attacked by a dog as she was waiting to cross the road to her workplace on the way to work. The attack left facial scars which would be expensive to treat as well as a lengthy period of time off work.
3. What incentive is there for employers to at least provide parking to people working late shifts so they can drive home or ensure that staff can go at times late buses and trains are due to leave to avoid lengthy waits at unsafe deserted bus and train stations. Also what now would be the incentive to ensure safe travel home ie taxi's.
I work for an organisation covered by the CPSU where I can travel up to 1 1/2 hours to various sites and am concerned about my coverage.
As someone who has previously suffered from a work related stress disorder, I can only speculate that the commonwealth governments draconian changes to workers compensation laws will exacerbate such illnesses suffered by people who no longer have access to adequate compensation/protection. The last thing someone needs who is suffering from a work related stress disorder or other mental illness is to worry about how they're going to pay the bills as they're attempting to recover.
I am also particularly concerned about the impact of removing workers compensation for journeys to and from work, particularly for those of us who ride or walk to work. Those people are particularly at risk of serious injury and yet, by exercising on their way into work they directly contribute to:
- increased productivity through improved health and fitness;
- reduced incidents of stress related disorders through improved fitness; and
- reduced green house gas emissions - an issue which the current government claims to be a leader on.
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