The ASU National Negotiating Team met with Qantas management in Sydney on 26 May 2010 for Day 2 of our negotiations for Qantas EBA 9.

The meeting primarily focussed on the tabling and explanation of our detailed claims for this EBA which included the presentation of draft EBA clauses to further explain the Claim endorsed by ASU members. We also dealt with a range of preliminary issues.

What we discussed

The following is an overview of the key topics of discussion at the meeting:

Our Claims

The ASU tabled further detail on a number of our claims as follows:

Claim number 2. Include all EBA Clauses that are currently in side letters with Qantas in EBA 9 – including our union rights clauses

Claim number 6. Increase redundancy entitlements including increasing payment for notice

Claim number 7. Include duty travel provisions in EBA 9

Claim number 9. Ensure any contractors are paid same rates and conditions

Claim number 10. Improve staff travel to ensure equity of access, availability and recognition of service

Claim number 13. Ensure that the Qantas and QFIT Enterprise Awards are maintained as “modern” awards and that their conditions are not cut because of the Modern Airlines Ground Staff Award

Claim number 15. Provide improved access to annual leave, long service leave and DiL days

Claim number 16. Include provisions to allow ability to buy additional Annual Leave

Claim number 19. Ensure all the company paid parental leave provisions are in the EBA and that they are in addition to the Federal Government Paid Parental Leave scheme due on 1 January 2011

Claim number 21. Eradicate harassment of staff on sick leave

Claim number 25. Increase Company Super contribution to 15%

You can see the full detail claims that we presented to Qantas on our webpage at www.asu.asn.au/airlines/qantaseba9.html.

Many of your ASU National Negotiating Team presented evidence and arguments to support each of the claims citing examples of issues to highlight why staff feel strongly about our claims. No more so was this than in relation to staff travel, access to leave and the harassment of staff on sick leave. At our next meeting on 4 June 2010 we will table the detail on our remaining claims.

Bargaining reps

A couple of people have nominated as bargaining reps for the EBA 9. The ASU must act in good faith with all reps including Qantas management. Up until the meeting Qantas would not disclose the names of the other reps (which makes it pretty hard to talk to them!). We now have this information although the company is still refusing to release the names of the Qantas Holidays Ltd bargaining reps. This causes us a significant problem as we must talk to these reps too.

Qantas Holidays

The ASU continues to press for Qantas Holidays to be included in the EBA 9 negotiations. Qantas and Qantas Holidays have a different view – they want a separate agreement. The ASU has not conceded this point in negotiations.

The new Fair Work Act allows the ASU to go to Fair Work Australia to get a scope Order to argue why Qantas Holidays should be included in EBA 9. There are a range of things we must do before we commence these proceedings. Qantas Holidays management have asked to meet the ASU Qantas Holidays representatives for the EBA separately on 2 June 2010. Our delegates believe we should meet on this day to press again why we want Qantas Holidays in Qantas EBA 9.

Qantas Defence Services

We wanted employees directly employed by Qantas Defence Services in our EBA. Qantas has given us material about other EBAs for QDS which we are considering.

What did Qantas management say?

The company negotiators said they were costing some of our proposals and thought they would be in a position to respond most likely at the meeting after next. The company also foreshadowed they will have a range of “claims”, again these are likely to be presented at the meeting on 16 June 2010.

Next meetings

Meetings are scheduled for:

2 June – Qantas Holidays only

4 June – EBA 9

16 June – EBA 9

1 July – EBA 9

13 July – EBA 9

For more information please contact your ASU delegate or organisers Lauren Hutchins and Fergie Eiffe.