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Okay, so maybe I'm not going to throw this cold/flu off as quickly as I thought. I was doing pretty well, up until last night, when both ears decided to shut down and I spent most of the night either coughing, suffocating because of my blocked nose, or having that whole annoying "water in the ears" sensation. And to top it all off, the whole idea of food this morning was really not a good one, so all I've consumed to date is a glass of juice and a cup of black tea with sugar. In fact, I haven't eaten properly since Tuesday - all I can say is, thank goodness for soup.
Can someone just cut my head off now and give me some peace?
***
In work-related news, we're commencing work bans next Wednesday in an effort to get the bloody government to talk to us about out enterprise bargaining agreement which is due to expire tomorrow. So far they've ignored the recommendations of the committee they sent to examine our working practices and pay rates, and refuse to talk to the union about any futuer agreements. Which is bloody typical of the Department of Justice, but this time we're sick of it adn so we're going to take industrial action. Not a full strike, as they have the ability to shut those down, adn seriously, one day of no work isn't that effective. Instead we're instituting two weeks of work bans - we're not answering the phones, we're closing over lunch, we're not answering correspondence, and, mostly effectively, we won't be registering any more fines from various agencies. The other Mgaistrates' Courts are insituting similar things, still running court and all, but not issuing any new process and sticking to the old opening hours 9.30-4, with the office closed for lunch 1-2.
Of course, should the Department decide to actually talk to us before then, it's all off.
It sounds like rabble-rousing, I know, but considering we junior registrars haven't received a pay rise for the past eight years at least, and considering the most any level 2 can hope to earn is $35,000/year for work that includes making quasi-judicial decisions that can, for example, get someone arrested on a warrant, I think we're being pretty reasonable. Not to mention the drastic understaffing in the regular courts, the expectation that ay overtime will be unpaid and no time off will be given in lieu, the security issues (Melbourne Magistrates', the only court apart from the Children's with x-ray machines on the doors, confiscate up to five wheely bins of weapons per year - imagine what gets through the suburban courts who have the facilities, but no staff to run them!) and the lack of recognition of ability through performance bonuses (we can be nominated for a bonus or a pay increase, but continually get told there's no money in the budget to cover it). So yeah, I'm all behind this action, even if it means the Friday I have off next week will now come out of my recreation leave, rather than my November RDO (going back to the regular hours means no more day off per month).
***
Finally managed to get my hair trimmed last night. Not that there's a lot of difference, but at least now my fringe (or bangs, if you prefer) is out of my face. The hairdresser was very supportive in my efforts to grow it out, remembering me from last time, and said it's going well and my hair is very healthy. Considering how many times I've dyed it this year, that's surprising.
For those who haven't seen me recently, it's now down to my collar, with the sides rapidly catching up. There's still a slight tendency towards cowlicks, but as it gets longer, that will stop. It's almost at a stage where I can tie it pack in a very small ponytail. ;) Colour-wise it's still dark brown, with reddish highlights and a slight tendency towards lighter brown on top where the natural colour is growing back in.
Considering it's been fourteen years since I had hair of any length, this is quite the change for me. *grins* I'm aiming at shoulder-length, providing all goes well and it doesn't look too stupid.
And now to work. Catch you all later, perhaps when my head feels less fuzzy.
Can someone just cut my head off now and give me some peace?
***
In work-related news, we're commencing work bans next Wednesday in an effort to get the bloody government to talk to us about out enterprise bargaining agreement which is due to expire tomorrow. So far they've ignored the recommendations of the committee they sent to examine our working practices and pay rates, and refuse to talk to the union about any futuer agreements. Which is bloody typical of the Department of Justice, but this time we're sick of it adn so we're going to take industrial action. Not a full strike, as they have the ability to shut those down, adn seriously, one day of no work isn't that effective. Instead we're instituting two weeks of work bans - we're not answering the phones, we're closing over lunch, we're not answering correspondence, and, mostly effectively, we won't be registering any more fines from various agencies. The other Mgaistrates' Courts are insituting similar things, still running court and all, but not issuing any new process and sticking to the old opening hours 9.30-4, with the office closed for lunch 1-2.
Of course, should the Department decide to actually talk to us before then, it's all off.
It sounds like rabble-rousing, I know, but considering we junior registrars haven't received a pay rise for the past eight years at least, and considering the most any level 2 can hope to earn is $35,000/year for work that includes making quasi-judicial decisions that can, for example, get someone arrested on a warrant, I think we're being pretty reasonable. Not to mention the drastic understaffing in the regular courts, the expectation that ay overtime will be unpaid and no time off will be given in lieu, the security issues (Melbourne Magistrates', the only court apart from the Children's with x-ray machines on the doors, confiscate up to five wheely bins of weapons per year - imagine what gets through the suburban courts who have the facilities, but no staff to run them!) and the lack of recognition of ability through performance bonuses (we can be nominated for a bonus or a pay increase, but continually get told there's no money in the budget to cover it). So yeah, I'm all behind this action, even if it means the Friday I have off next week will now come out of my recreation leave, rather than my November RDO (going back to the regular hours means no more day off per month).
***
Finally managed to get my hair trimmed last night. Not that there's a lot of difference, but at least now my fringe (or bangs, if you prefer) is out of my face. The hairdresser was very supportive in my efforts to grow it out, remembering me from last time, and said it's going well and my hair is very healthy. Considering how many times I've dyed it this year, that's surprising.
For those who haven't seen me recently, it's now down to my collar, with the sides rapidly catching up. There's still a slight tendency towards cowlicks, but as it gets longer, that will stop. It's almost at a stage where I can tie it pack in a very small ponytail. ;) Colour-wise it's still dark brown, with reddish highlights and a slight tendency towards lighter brown on top where the natural colour is growing back in.
Considering it's been fourteen years since I had hair of any length, this is quite the change for me. *grins* I'm aiming at shoulder-length, providing all goes well and it doesn't look too stupid.
And now to work. Catch you all later, perhaps when my head feels less fuzzy.
