Staff at the Blacktown Animal Rehousing Centre (BARC) recently raised serious safety and operational concerns with the USU, including issues with dangerous-dog handling, delays in Code 1 actions, overcrowded kennels, emergency procedures that don’t protect staff, and security systems that fail to identify where a worker is in distress.
Members also reported that draft safety procedures submitted to management in 2023 were never acted on.
Taking Members’ Concerns Straight to Management
The Union itemised the concerns and formally presented them to BARC management. This led to a meeting between the USU, the BARC Manager and the Acting Director of City Living to progress the motions put forward by staff.
As a result of that process, management agreed to several important steps:
- conducting an urgent security review
- establishing a working party of members and management to review and develop Standard Operating Procedures
- holding monthly meetings with staff so issues can be raised and resolved early
Further Improvements Following Member Pressure
In addition, the Union has secured further commitments that strengthen staff safety. BARC management has now adopted the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998 and Office of Local Government (OLG) guidelines for identifying, managing and handling restricted dog breeds in NSW.
Management will conduct briefing sessions for all BARC workers on these requirements, and, at the Union’s request, will bring in a representative from the OLG to provide expert advice and answer staff questions. These sessions will be held within the next two weeks.
