Positions currently available with the CSIRO Staff Association:

Field Organiser – Brisbane

The primary function of this role is to develop and implement effective campaigns and strategies to build member’s collective power in the workplace. There is also a strong emphasis on recruiting members and developing member delegates and workplace leaders. (Possibility of part-time, negotiable upon application). Applications close on Monday 27^th February 2012 COB. 

Click here to view the Position Description. Applicants should forward a written statement addressing the selection criteria to careers@cpsu.org.au

Other positions currently available with the CPSU can be viewed here.

The Canberra Times 15.02.2012

Author – Roslyn Beeby

The CSIRO delayed the release of an independent expert review of its oceans and climate research division for almost a year, claiming the report had to be signed off by the agency’s board before being circulated to staff.

CSIRO Staff Association president Michael Borgas has blasted the reason given for the delay as ”a farce”, saying the reviews are usually widely circulated to scientific staff for comment.

”In this case, staff were not given the chance to do this,” he said.

Dr Borgas has accused CSIRO’s top management of suppressing the report to avoid staff scrutiny of its recommendations and ”to allow a self-important management culture to implement its own agenda regarding the direction of future research”.

Read the full article here.

CSIRO’s libraries have undergone significant changes in recent times. This has affected staff working in libraries, but also impacted on researchers and other staff that use library services. By 2016, CSIRO is recommending that library services should be fully online, with greater emphasis on “self service” by researchers. To gain a better understanding of the relevant issues, a short online survey has been formulated for all members to complete.

Note that the survey is a tool for the Staff Association to gather information on this issue. It is not intended to be comprehensive. More information about the survey is contained in the introduction of the online survey link. We will work with all members as we consider the issues arising from the survey. Thank you very much for your participation.

COMPLETE THE SURVEY HERE

Off on the wrong foot

Management’s failure to adequately consult staff on the CLI/CFNS amalgamation is the latest example of poor staff consultation at CSIRO and may be in breach of the Enterprise Agreement. It’s a poor way to begin the process. Continue reading →

From door to door – We’ve got compensation covered

Your Staff Association believes that all CSIRO, AAO & NMI employees deserve a healthy and safe workplace. But when things go wrong with work – through accident, illness or injury – people should be looked after.

Did you know that you aren’t covered for the purposes of workers’ compensation during travel to and from the workplace, unless you are a Staff Association member? Continue reading →

GROSVENOR – Something to hide?

Management’s review into Property Services – conducted by Grosvenor Consulting – appears to have created more questions than it has answered. Despite repeated requests from the Staff Association, CSIRO management refuses to release the entire Grosvenor Report. This begs the obvious question: why all the secrecy? Continue reading →

2012 PRIME MINISTER’S PRIZES FOR SCIENCE

25 Jan 2012

Joint media release with the Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP

Senator Chris Evans – Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research

Read online.

Nominations have opened for the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science – Australia’s most prestigious science awards.

The Prizes honour Australians who have made significant contributions to building a more prosperous and progressive society through scientific achievements and science education. Continue reading →

From the Myall Coast Nota Thursday 14th December 11.

Hawks Nest Waters a shark nursery

THIS comes after two attacks on people by white sharks at Jimmys beach over the last four years and regular shark sightings at Bennetts Beach.

Barry Bruce from CSIRO Marine Research has conducted extensive research on White Sharks in the area and believes the presence of these creatures is no reason to fear an attack.

“In general, the sharks appear to take little interest in surfers or swimmers in these areas,” Mr Bruce said.

Mr Bruce said that the coastal waters off Port Stephens are a seasonal nursery area for white sharks. Read the full article here.

Denise Hardesty (left) at Science Meets Parliament 2011

From abc.net.au 13th December 2011

Scientists comb beaches for rubbish clues

A team of scientists is combing Australia’s 35,000-kilometre coastline to measure marine debris and its impact on sea life.

The researchers are specifically studying the barcodes on items of rubbish in an attempt to trace the origin of products washing up on the shore.

The group is currently at Sydney’s Shelly Beach, a popular surf break known for its clean waves.

Denise Hardesty, a CSIRO researcher who heads the marine debris project, says scientists are using the Shelly Beach waterfront near Manly to get a snapshot of Sydney’s beachside pollution. Read the full article here.

Review of Regional Science leads to positive reccommendations

Your Staff Association has been campaigning to progress and resolve issues raised by members at regional sites. In late 2010, the Staff Association lobbied CEO Megan Clark to conduct a Review to support Regional Science. A Working Group was formed with four nominated Staff Association members. A report from the Working Group, with proposed reccommendations, was considered at Consultative Council on 28 November. A full copy of the report can be found here.

Read more:

Regional Science Review (bulletin)

Regional Sites Working Group Report (report)