THE STATE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO PUSH AHEAD WITH 25% REDUCTIONS OF FRONTLINE STAFF AT ASHLEY YOUTH DETENTION CENTRE (AYDC), DESPITE WORKERS ENDURING AN AVERAGE OF FOUR ASSAULTS PER MONTH. WORKERS ARE CONCERNED THAT THE LATEST BRUTAL ASSAULT IS A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME, AS CHANGE IS BEING PUSHED THROUGH WITHOUT CONSIDERING DANGERS TO STAFF.
There has been a number of reports tabled over recent years that address changing the Tasmanian youth justice system. The latest change proposed by government involves cutting frontline staff by 25% at AYDC. Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) Members maintain this this will only make their work more dangerous, and they are angry that their legitimate safety concerns are being ignored.
“Our Members work in a dangerous environment. Every month there are on average four assaults carried out on Ashley workers. Some of these assaults are so serious that workers require reconstructive surgery, and many suffer from post-traumatic stress” said Robbie Moore, HACSU Assistant State Secretary.
“The situation at Ashley is one that requires a strategic and subtle approach towards change management. Simply railroading through massive staff reductions is a sign of a bean-counter mentality towards youth justice.
“Our Members know that there are changes that could be made that would improve the efficiency of Ashley’s operations. However, they have been consistently sidelined throughout so-called consultation processes. It appears that the ambition of government is to slash frontline staffing levels, regardless of the risk.
“In January this year, yet another worker at Ashley Youth Detention Centre endured a vicious assault. That would have been bad enough if it was an unusual occurrence. Unfortunately, our Members report that this is a regular – but unacceptable – workplace hazard. Slashing frontline staff will only exacerbate that risk.”
“We have Members who want to speak about the reality of being a front line staff working in a youth detention centre, but fear recriminations if they do so.
“Workers are angry that their legitimate concerns about poor workplace health and safety have been dismissed, and the restructure will only make things worse.”
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HACSU_Background_Information_-_Mental_Health_Workers_Industrial_Action_Feb_2015.pdf
HACSU ASSISTANT STATE SECRETARY ROBBIE MOORE
