[va_lcg_act] Fw: Important info re VA Enterprises
- From: "Robert and Judith James" <randjjames1@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <va_lcg_act@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 9 Aug 2013 07:43:12 +1000
Hi VA LCG members in Canberra,
The intention of VA to close VA Enterprises was discussed at the Strategic
Forum last week and has been widely discussed elsewhere as well. It does not
affect our local clients. This is forwarded for your information.
Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: Kirsten McCombie
Sent: Thursday, August 08, 2013 10:09 PM
Subject: Important info re VA Enterprises
Good evening everyone
Please find below important information for members of our LCGs, RCCs and
Client Advisory Committees.
Briefing for Vision Australia's Client Consultative Framework
8 August 2013
Announcement
Vision Australia has today announced the decision of its intention to close its
supported disability employment operations - Vision Australia Enterprises
(VAE). VAE operations are based in Kensington VIC, Enfield NSW, and Coorparoo
QLD. All affected staff were advised of the Board's decision through a series
of meetings held today on the Enterprise sites. No VAE positions are being made
redundant today.
Consultation
Pursuant to the Unified Enterprise Agreement, we are commencing a six week
consultation period in respect of the decision to close. This consultation
period will run from Friday, 9 August 2013 to Friday, 20 September 2013 and
will involve the affected staff, their families, unions representing staff, and
our Employee Consultative Committee.
At the completion of the consultation period, the Vision Australia Board will
consider any issues raised during the consultation period which it should take
into account, and then will either confirm the decision to close, or make a
different decision. If the decision to close is confirmed, closure will likely
be finalised by February 2014.
Funders
Staff in Coorparoo and Kensington provide warehousing, pick 'n' pack,
fulfilment and logistics services.
Our operation in Coorparoo is funded by the Queensland Department of Education,
Training and Employment (DETE) ($500,000 pa until the end of the 2013-2014
financial year). DETE supports 14 staff in Coorparoo, three trainees and two
general employees. It is not an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE).
Our operation in Kensington is funded through the Department of Families,
Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs' (FaHCSIA) ADE program.
There are 51 staff at Kensington, 33 of whom have their wages subsidised
($350,000 pa in total) through FaHCSIA's ADE program. The remaining 18 staff
are funded in open employment by Vision Australia.
There are 3 staff employed for Braille Library services in Enfield who are
Vision Australia employees and work closely with the Kensington Enterprise.
Rationale
The decision of the intention to close VAE follows an internal review of the
business, which has sustained substantial losses over a number of years. We
have been unable to make Enterprises work because of a combination of factors
including wage levels and competition for work. VAE has been able to continue
operating up until now because the broader organisation has been able to
subsidise the operations. However, this is no longer possible. Total losses are
estimated to be approx. $1.2m this financial year.
The Enterprises were acquired by Vision Australia when we merged with other
blindness organisations several years ago; Royal Victorian Institute for the
Blind in 2004, and Royal Blind Foundation Queensland in 2006.
In 2009 we implemented a change program with the goal of shifting to a social
enterprise model to address the large deficits. Over the intervening years
there has been considerable effort and investment to find ways for VAE to
develop income streams that are financially sustainable. This saw a change in
direction within VAE whereby third party logistics became the preferred new
core activity, and assembly and packaging work was undertaken only when a
reasonable return could be achieved, or it was supported by third party
logistics, or for strategic purposes.
Prior to the Board making its decision to close, discussions were held with
United Voice in Queensland and the Blind Workers Union in Victoria with the aim
of exploring financially sustainable options. Despite our best efforts we have
been unable to realise a sustainable model.
Vision Australia remains committed to the view that it is imperative for the
future of the organisation as a whole and its ability to provide support and
assistance to those who are blind or have low vision, to ensure all operations
are financially sustainable.
We have to focus on what we're really good at. We have tried to make
Enterprises work. However, some of the available work is not appropriate or
meaningful for staff, and we have been unable to make the operations viable.
VAE staff
Our priority is to support staff and their families in relation to this
announcement.
VAE employs 73 staff and 80% of those staff are blind or have low vision. If
the decision to close is confirmed, the majority of the positions at VAE would
be made redundant.
Any closure will be implemented over a three month transition period and we
would work with each staff member to develop a plan to find other
opportunities, which may include redeploying up to 12 staff into open
employment within the organisation to provide continuity of internal
activities, mainly around CD-ROM distribution for our accessible information
library service.
All affected staff will get redundancy packages, family support and
counselling, and ongoing social support within our recreation and day programs
to maintain social engagement. Individualised plans will include a range of
supports, such as outplacement support to find a new employer, and an
assessment of specific pathways including potential open employment, and
employment-based skills development through certificate based training.
We are aware that many of our VAE employees may need intensive support to help
them find other opportunities.
Next Steps
We will continue to work with DETE and FaHCSIA.
In the event that closure is confirmed, we will work closely with our
Enterprise customers (up to 18) to whom we provide services to ensure that they
can transition seamlessly to another provider.
John Gow, Workforce Manager (p: 03 9864 9255) is managing the consultation
process and receiving formal feedback. John will be arranging meetings for
staff, the Unions, and Vision Australia's Employee Consultative Committee to
provide feedback during the consultation period.
Please direct any media enquiries to Rebecca McLean in the Communications
department on 0428 496 105.
Regards
Kirsten
Kirsten McCombie
Client Consultation and Engagement Advisor
Vision Australia, Enfield
P: 02 9334 3293
E: Kirsten.McCombie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Vision Australia gets 'fit for the future', we don't want anyone to miss out
on having a say about the organisation. Find out more about what we're doing
and have your say by visiting http://www.visionaustralia.org/strategicplan
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