Your ASU representatives met with Menzies management on Friday afternoon to discuss the Annual Leave process for 2021 and rostering arrangements, particularly changes within 7 days of a shift.
Annual Leave 2021
The ASU expressed concern that this announcement was made without any consultation with the union or staff. Menzies has now committed to a number of changes and has assured us that members will be able to make changes throughout the year – we will be holding them to this!
Although many uncertainties around COVID remain, this process allows staff to confirm periods of leave well in advance and we hope will provide more certainty in future when planning around school holidays, significant family events, and travel (as borders start to reopen).
Menzies has just confirmed that the following process will be put in place for annual leave in 2021:
- Staff are asked to submit leave requests for 5 weeks for the 2021 period (either in blocks or one period)
- Leave forms will now be due by 31 December (extended from November)
- Members will be able to change your leave dates throughout the year, and a review will also take place during the middle of the year. Members won’t be able to cancel leave without booking in another period to ‘bank’ their annual leave.
- All leave already approved will remain
- Annual Leave over the Christmas period will be reviewed in line with previous year’s to ensure that it is being distributed fairly
- Note, you continue to accrue leave entitlements while stood down and over the next calendar year.
We will continue to monitor this closely and if any members have any issues when rescheduling leave they should contact the union immediately.
Rostering and Stand Down Provisions
The ASU remains extremely concerned about the process Menzies has been undertaking to stand up staff for a shift with less than 48 hours’ notice (and in a couple of cases less than 24 hours’ notice). We have told Menzies that we will be looking closely into the JobKeeper provisions on their ability to revoke a stand down at short notice, and will pursue this if any breaches have occurred.
Regardless of any technicalities, we have told Menzies it’s not fair or reasonable to expect staff to sit around all day in case they receive a call from the company at the last minute to come into work.
We will continue to pursue this matter. In the meantime Menzies has made the following commitments:
- Staff will only receive roster changes at short notice where notice genuinely couldn’t have been given earlier (ie. to cover sick leave or where no prior notice was given by airlines)
- Staff will receive a call, not just a text, to explain the details and why the change has been made (a text will be sent if you can’t answer the phone)
- Menzies will give genuine consideration where staff cannot attend a shift, including for caring responsibilities or secondary employment
- If you are called in for a shift that wasn’t on your projected roster this will attract overtime. We are in dispute as to whether changes within 48 hours attract double pay however it is Menzies’ position that it does not if it aligns with your projected roster.
- Staff should continue to monitor the projected roster
If any members have recently had their stand down revoked at short notice could you please send a copy of your projected roster, operational roster, and stand up text/notice (please provide a copy of each) to isturni@asupsvic.org This will assist us when reviewing the legal details of this issue.
If you have any questions please contact ASU organiser Imogen Sturni at isturni@asupsvic.org We will continue to provide members with updates throughout our discussions with the company.
By your side,
Matt Norrey
Branch Secretary
