DOCS Report “Fatally Flawed”

Date: 21 January 2005

The United Services Union declared the decision handed down today by Commissioner Patterson in the Industrial relations Commission of NSW to reinstate Child care worker Vicki Ford as a triumph for justice.

The Commissioner was scathing of a report by the Department of Community Services which resulted in the termination of Vicki Ford by Gosford City Council.

The Commissioner ordered that Vicki Ford be re-instated within 21 days as a teacher at the highest level of grading applicable and that she be reimbursed for lost wages.

According to USU General Secretary Brian Harris this is a great win for Vicki Ford and the Union. "The union has been concerned that appropriate procedures be implemented for handling complaints about Child Care workers," said Brian Harris.

"Obviously complaints have to be investigated but the so called "investigation" of Vicki Ford was contrary to the Ombudsmen's Guidelines and according to the Commissioner was founded on "inaccurate presumption and innuendo."

The Commissioner criticised Gosford City Council for not conducting their own investigation before dismissing Vicki Ford who had been employed as a Director for over 10 years, however the Commissioner recognised that Gosford Council felt excluded from the DOCs report which was "fatally flawed".

"Our member has been though hell," said USU Industrial Officer Noel Martin. "She was not only unjustly terminated but her reputation was damaged. This has been an ordeal which she would not have been put through if Council had followed the Guidelines."

"However, it is the Department of Community Services who now owes Vicki Ford an apology and I note with a great deal of satisfaction that the Commissioner has recommended that the Department send Vicki and Council a written apology for 'the conduct of its officers and the unnecessary pain and expense inflicted upon the parties, in particular Ms Ford'," said Mr Martin.

"Vicki Ford will be returning to work for Council shortly", said Noel Martin, "But in the meantime she has gone home to crack open a bottle of celebratory champagne!"

For further information please contact USU Industrial Officer Noel Martin on 4962 1444 or 0417 665 876.

For further information

Contact:	Brian Harris
Union:	United Services Union
Phone:	(02) 9265 8211
Email:	united@usu.org.au
WWW:	http://www.usu.org.au

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