Confusion over whether or not frontline workers would continue to provide services to clients after the disability service provider FSG goes into voluntary receivership tomorrow have now been clarified.
CPL, previously the Cerebral Palsy League, has stepped forward as the ‘very large provider’ that will be taking over some of FSGs clients.
Echonetdaily has confirmed that FSG ‘staff are being encouraged to continue working according to their roster’ and that offers for employment with CPL will be sent out to most current FSG staff by the close of business today.
The lack of clarity had left clients, families and staff concerned for the welfare of clients if staff who did not know the routines and needs of clients turned up to provide care with no hand over from current staff.
CPL began contacting clients and their families on Thursday to ask for ‘consent’ for service provision to be taken over by CPL so that they can continue supplying care and support from Sunday onwards.
Staff continuity
The Services Union had filed a dispute with the Fair Work Commission (FWC) late last week. The dispute was based on the lack of consultation given by FSG to its workforce about going into voluntary administration.
Yesterday The Services Union had its dispute with FSG heard in the FWC with Commissioner Simpson. The union asked that FSG apply the same principles to all incoming service providers to allow a smooth transition of workforce and service delivery.
The union was able to broker an agreement between FSG and CPL to defer the termination of employment for those FSG employees who deliver and support frontline disability services.
At the conference FSG disclosed that approximately 500 service support jobs like human resources, marketing and finance, that are not deemed frontline will cease as at 30 June 2018.
Playing games
Executive president of the services union, Jennifer Thomas said FSG management this week has continued to play games.
‘FSG sought to have the dispute adjourned so they didn’t have to answer any of the questions we had for them, but fortunately this request was knocked back by the FWC,’ Ms Thomas said.
‘We are working closely with the new providers and we are negotiating the best ways forward for everybody caught up in this mess due to FSG’s financial mismanagement.
‘What is also becoming very apparent by media reports is that FSG management may have been empire building through asset buying as well as ensuring that their executives were well looked after through exorbitant salaries.
‘With all this in mind, our union urges the (Queensland) state government to further investigate what has really gone on at FSG because on the surface it really does not look good.’
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