During the EBA negotiations held on Wednesday 28 August that was mediated by the Fair Work Commission Emirates said that they intended to put the EBA (that was previously overwhelmingly rejected by employees) out again to be voting on.
Emirates say that they’ll put the EBA out from Friday 5 September until Thursday 11 September.
The ASU again advises members to vote NO, for the same principled reasons as last time, the Emirates EBA is not fair to employees.
What happened at the Fair Work Commission?
The ASU attended the Fair Work Commission on Wednesday 28 August. Representatives for Emirates failed to front up instead dialling in on a teleconference. This showed contempt for its employees and how serious Emirates efforts are in making a fair EBA for employees.
The contempt for employees was confirmed when Emirates rejected an ASU compromise to make provisions for breaks in the contact centre. Emirates were not even concerned to make a counter offer, or even to at least utilise the expertise of the independent Fair Work Commission to forge conditions that would be fair for everyone. Instead, after a day of mediation Emirates abruptly announced that the access period for the proposed EBA would begin from this Friday, with the voting to commence the following Friday.
What does this mean?
This is the same EBA that has already been thoroughly rejected by employees. The arrogance and conceit from Emirates to not listen to employees’ concerns is extraordinary and Emirates shouldn’t be allowed to get away with this.
The EBA should be comprehensively rejected again.
If this EBA is approved by employees it will send the message to Emirates that they need never to listen to employees’ concerns again. This vote is as much about your future EBAs as this proposed EBA.
The fair deal put forward by the ASU/ALAEA is:
- 3% pa pay increases;
- Pay rises payable to all those at max level for grade;
- Paid breaks clause included;
- Increase redundancy;
- Fix international duty travel time;
- Delete split shifts clause 12.5; and
- Payment of back pay.
What’s happens next?
If Emirates follow through with what they have said then the EBA will be voted on from the 5th to 11th September.
This proposed EBA should be again voted down so that negotiations can re-commence with Emirates treating their employees’ views seriously and respectfully.
Further information?
For more information, please speak to your ASU delegates.