Qantas EBA9

It's all about Part Time

Details

Published on Wednesday, 08 September, 2010

Delegates met with Qantas management on the 1^st of September for Round 10 of negotiations. The main topic of discussion was the clause for part timers.

ASU part time conditions proposal

To start the review of part timers the ASU has proposed:

• Ratios of Part timers to Full timers are not correct – we need more full timers. The ASU proposes a joint analysis to determine correct ratios at each airport and shift location.

• A consistent and transparent process of how conversions from Part Time to Full time occur using the Melbourne Airport Model – i.e. done on the basis of length of service at the location.

• Better rostering practices consistent with our claim 17. Less changes and more notice will improve conditions for part timers.

• Fix the clause so that staff are not artificially capped in hours late in their 12 month period to prevent a conversion of a position to full time

• Removal of the barrier at level 7 for part time employees

• Recognition that there are different types of part timers  - some who want fixed hours, some who want to be part time with small amounts of extra hours, others who want to be Full time

Qantas’ response

Qantas were most interested in discussing the issue of conversions from part time to full time.

Our proposal about artificial capping of overtime is about members who regularly work overtime through the year and have their overtime cut back towards the end of the year so as to avoid triggering a conversion. This means a cut back in income and means people who don’t want to work overtime have to pick up the extra hours.  Qantas is unashamed about the fact they engage in this process of cutting people off to avoid conversions. Qantas described these workers as ‘hungry’ people who take overtime to ‘drive conversions’.

The clause exists because if people are regularly required to work overtime then there is work available that could sustain a full time position. Regardless of who does the overtime (these ‘hungry’ people or other part timers), if the work is there it warrants a conversion.

Capping hours – The Qantas view

In response to our proposal Qantas have suggested that instead of applying conversions to an individual, conversions should be triggered by looking at the average hours in a particular area. Qantas also have an alternative proposal on the table that they increase the cap that triggers the conversion for individuals. We have asked for more information about this.

Part time survey

We are continuing to collect survey responses from part timers that will inform the final claim on part time conditions. If you are a part timer please follow the below link to have your say:

http://www.asumembers.org.au/ASUPARTTIMERSURVEY

Superannuation claim

Qantas have put a Superannuation claim that they say is just a change to better reflect the legislation.

QFIT 1-10s claim

We also had a discussion about the QFIT 1-10s pay claim and the adequacy of the current classification structure.

We thought we had been making progress on this issue but for reasons we cannot understand Qantas wants to maintain the old irrelevant EBA structure and rates.

What’s next?

The program of meetings continues with discussions about the ambiguities, the modernisation of our award and also how airports of the future impacts on staff.

The following is the schedule of further meetings:

8^th September – Ambiguities and Modern Award.

9^th September – Airports of the Future Rostering Meeting – Perth Airport

14^th September – EBA 9 Meeting

If you want more information talk to your local organisers Lauren Hutchins or Fergal Eiffe, delegates or National Negotiating Team members: