Negotiations have recommenced
Negotiations have recommenced after a short break due to company reps being overseas.
Between meetings the Unions utilised the time to sort out some local issues that mostly related to Sydney and Brisbane. In Sydney there large numbers of labour hire employees which needed to be addressed and in Brisbane we had to deal with some redundancies as a result of the recent contract losses. Melbourne also had some impact from the loss of the VA toilet and water contract which required finding alternate work for the affected individuals so that they weren’t made redundant.
At the meeting prior to the break the Unions provided the company with a detailed EBA that highlighted all of the changes and the wording that we wanted in the new agreement.
Union Claims
We took the opportunity to discuss and detail our claims and the wording that we put forward and the company responded to quite a few of our claims and sort clarification on others. The ASU reiterated that we wanted to;
Maintain all current conditions unless improved.
- Increase permanent employment by minimising the use of labour hire
- Have better provisions for converting casuals to permanent, part timers to full time
- Minimum guaranteed hours for part timers each week.
- Have fairer means for paying and the distribution of overtime.
- Ensure that vacant higher duties positions are filled.
- Better training and a buddy allowance.
- Minimum 10 hour breaks between shifts as well as a break for each 5 hours of work.
- Better and fairer access to annual leave.
- Ensure proper facilities are in place for breaks.
- Union rights provisions to ensure that you’re represented within the workplace, have paid union meetings and that your delegates are properly tained.
- Ensure that people are paid the same rate for the same job nationally.
- Improve pay rates and superannuation.
Company position
The company whilst not agreeing to all of our claims or the wording did indicate that it did agree that many of our claims around fairness and equity, rostering principles, proper training, breaks and rectifying some anomalies had some merit and they were prepared to further explore these issues. The company also reiterated however that it still wanted to pursue;
- Monthly pays
- 3 hour call in’s (including full timers)
- Rostering hours over 4 weeks to average 160 hours for full timers instead of 40 hours per week
- Split shifts
- Less sick leave for new starters
- Less annual leave for new starters
The company has not provided a response to the pay increase at this stage.
What’s next?
The next meeting with the company has been scheduled for 14 August 2014. We have requested that the company provided us with some more information about their claims including their proposed wording for their claims.
Have you joined the ASU?
It’s now time to join the ASU if you are not yet a member. It’s time to stand united with the rest your workmates that are members of the ASU. If we do not stick together many things are at risk.
You can join the ASU by filling out the membership form on the rear of this bulletin and returning it to the ASU or by giving it to one of your delegates. You can also join online at www.asu.asn.au/asujoin