SA public servants discuss amalgamation
By Rob Graham
ADELAIDE — Members of the Public Sector Union and the Professional Officers' Association (POA) are to begin voting on amalgamation on November 17. The two unions, which cover federal public servants, have signed an agreement on the proposed merger, which is part of the ACTU-government drive for around 20 super unions by the mid-'90s.
According to the PSU, amalgamation will enable public servants to speak with a more united voice, enable the united union to deliver better services from a larger resource base, and provide for the autonomy of the former POA members when necessary.
But the proposed amalgamation has failed to excite rank and file members of either union. Little information has reached most public servants, and the PSU is having difficulty attracting members to union meetings. Even among those who are interested, there is considerable feeling that the process is beyond the influence of the ranks.
Some PSU members are concerned about the prospect of landing in the same union as their supervisors. The POA consists of highly skilled professionals, such as scientists and psychologists, some of whom are supervisors.