Vic: Family Court workers protest over job cuts fears

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2000
Vic: Family Court workers protest over job cuts fears

MELBOURNE, April 13 AAP - Family Court workers around the country walked off the job
and others donned black clothing today in protest at fears of job cuts.

But the court branded the action a "fizzer", saying only four workers had walked out
in Newcastle and only a handful of staff had handed out brochures and worn black.

Registry and counselling staff, members of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU),
took part in the Day of Protest over a restructure of the Family Court that they believe
will cost 400 jobs.

No registries closed as expected by the union but some staff took a few hours off.

The Family Court's general manager of corporate services, Andrew Phelan, said that
while the restructure would eventually replace some jobs with new jobs, the alleged 400
cuts were "nonsense".

"It certainly won't be 400 or anything like it," he told AAP.

"I couldn't hazard a guess, but even one quarter of that wouldn't be right."

The court is restructuring to help the new Federal Magistrates Court, which is expected
to be open for business by July.

Mr Phelan said the Family Court and the Federal Court were expected to provide some
support services to the new court and that would create a drain on resources.

But the CPSU's national president Matthew Reynolds said the budget cuts would inevitably
lead to downsizing.

"Our members are fed up. They're being subjected to an intolerable level of insecurity
that could drag on for months," Mr Reynolds said.

"They are sending a clear message to their employer that their concerns about client
service and job security cannot be ignored."

He feared counselling could be one of the first casualties.

"If a family is in trouble and needs some assistance in terms of custody or counselling
they need to know the government provides that service," he said.

"If they're cutting jobs in counselling areas then that service will be diminished."

Mr Phelan conceded counselling services were being reviewed.

"I can't say there won't be fewer counsellors next year - I just don't know," he said.

AAP hmg/er/wjf/cjh/br

KEYWORD: COURT (CARRIED EARLIER)

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