Last year CBA announced its intention to exit state based OHS and workers compensation systems to seek entry to the Commonwealth's OHS and Workers Compensation system, known as Comcare.

As a result, your CBA National Enterprise Council (CBA -NEC) decided you and your Reps should be aware of your consultation rights concerning the impact the inferior Comcare system would have on your current OHS and workers compensation entitlements.

Staff have responded by signing the CBA Workplace Rights Petition which calls on the CBA to fully consult, including that there is no lowering of your OHS and workers compensation entitlements.

CBA's applications to Comcare scheduled to proceed
Earlier, the ACTU had submitted to Federal Labor that no other companies should be allowed in Comcare and that a full review be undertaken concerning Comcare's deficiencies.

Last month the Federal Government decided that no new companies will be allowed to enter Comcare, but excluded those companies approved by the former government, i.e. the CBA group of companies. (Yesterday, the Federal Government announced a Review will occur throughout 2008, including ensuring that Comcare is a suitable scheme for self insurers and their employees. Currently however, OHS and workers compensation conditions under Comcare remain unchanged).

Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (SRCC) to decide Comcare applications
The SRCC is currently scheduled to determine CBAs' applications when it next meets on 19 March, 2008.

NATIONAL FSU CBA/COMCARE COMMITTEE TO BE ESTABLISHED
To seek to ensure CBA fully consults with you concerning their Comcare plans and to enable your concerns to be taken into account, a FSU National CBA/Comcare Committee will be formed.

What are we looking for?
This Committee is proposed to be the key driver actively representing member interests in consultations with the Bank about their proposed Comcare move.

Your fellow work colleagues and CBA-NEC members, are therefore looking for keen member OHS Reps to actively participate and will be encouraging at least one FSU OHS Rep from each state to nominate.

Your CBA-NEC will shortly be calling for expressions of interest from FSU OHS Reps and looks forward to working with you to promote better OHS at CBA.