EBA negotiations to proceed
The ASU have advised members since April 2020 that S&G and the ASU have jointly been delaying the EBA negotiations because of the ongoing pandemic.
The ASU has meet with management on a monthly basis to review the situation with a view to commence bargaining when circumstances are clearer. However, at our scheduled meeting with management on 3 August 2020 we decided to proceed with negotiations despite the worsening of pandemic conditions.
We have decided to commence bargaining because the situation in Victoria (and to a lesser extent in NSW) is worsening and it will continue for weeks and possibly months. Slater & Gordon and the ASU are both of the view that delaying bargaining any further is unhelpful and that we need to adapt to the changing environment of this pandemic.
Both Enterprise Agreements expire for negotiation purposes on the 31st of December 2020. Members will appreciate that we have to deal as best we can with a bad situation. In saying this, the ASU is committed to delivering the best outcome for our members throughout bargaining and delaying the negotiations further would be a backward step for our members.
Accordingly, we have set the first EBA meeting for the 3 September 2020 in Melbourne. This will be conducted remotely because of the COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria and elsewhere. The ASU will be represented at the bargaining table by National Industrial Officer Michael Rizzo and Victorian Private Sector Branch Organiser, Sarah Haar along with ASU Delegates from across the country.
Role of ASU Delegates, EBA Survey and ASU Log of Claims
We need ASU delegates representing each State to be involved at the bargaining table with the ASU Officials. We have negotiated with management to have 8-10 delegates involved in the bargaining. We would like every State represented and a mixture of job classifications also represented. We already have established Delegates in Queensland, WA, NSW and Victoria we can draw upon. If you would like to be on the bargaining committee please express your interest ASAP with your Organiser Sarah.
We intend to table a Log of Claims with the firm in September. A log of claims is a document put together by Union members which is a list of items the Union is seeking to have improved in your new agreement. This log usually has claims for a wage rise, increases to work life balance and improvements to health and safety in the workplace. We will send you an online survey link to complete which will assist us to frame the Log. It is critical that all members complete this survey and share their view on what needs to be improved at Slater & Gordon so that the log is representative of a wide spectrum of our membership.
We look forward to working with delegates, Organisers and members over the next few months so to achieve a fair and reasonable result for our membership in the new S&G EBA’s.
Want more information?
If you have any questions, please contact your workplace Delegates or your Organiser Sarah Haar at shaar@asupsvic.org.
Our members that have been through the last round of bargaining know that a successful outcome and improved wages and conditions are not simply given to you by your employer, they are bargained for collectively by Union members. Bargaining may look a little different in an online world but if we stick together, we are confident we can achieve great results for our members. We will be hosting a series of members meetings shortly to discuss bargaining and what members can do to ensure we are in the strongest position possible to win great conditions.
If you know anyone who is not yet an ASU member it is essential that they join so that everyone’s collective voice can be heard at the bargaining table. Please tell anyone you know that isn’t a member to sign up now. Only Union members have the exclusive right to endorse the Log of Claims, participate in EBA Union meetings, receive ASU updates and have a say on the direction bargaining should take. And, to be honest, there really hasn’t been a more important time to be a member of the union.
If you know someone that needs to join then forward them this email and they can join online here.