Relationships Australia EBA Campaign
Relationships Australia Enterprise Agreement 2009
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 04 June, 2009
Background:
The last complete Enterprise Agreement negotiated with Relationships Australia occurred in 2002 and was registered that year. Since then the agreement has been rolled over several times with just a pay increase included. This means that the agreement has become out of date and requires changes.
During negotiations in 2008, the Agreement was again rolled over with a 4.75% increase to wages. This was done for three main reasons including feedback from members. The first was that Relationships Australia maintained that they wanted to use the Federal system and John Howards unfair industrial laws. The second reason was that the ASU had just commenced its CARE Campaign for the Industry and members did not want to be left out of any gains made by the CARE Campaign.
The third reason was that the 4.75% pay rise was paid unilaterally by management before final agreement and negotiation. The ASU and the JCC were in the process of seeking final feedback when management took this action. This action effectively ended the process.
Over a number of years the ASU has attempted to improve conditions for members at Relationships Australia. This has included going into battle on numerous occasions for individual members including to ensure entitlements, fair processes, fair treatment and several other industrial issues.
As a result members at Relationships Australia know that only with a Unionised service can they get a fair deal this year. They also know that by working with the rest of the Industry on the CARE Campaign they can re draw the benchmark and make sure they set an example for the rest of the industry with their pay and conditions.
Where are we now?
Relationships Australia management maintain that they should be in the Federal Industrial System not the NSW system. Relationships Australia has however signalled a more conciliatory approach for this agreement and that they wish to negotiate under the new Fair Work Australia legislation which comes into effect from 1st July 2009. These laws allow for greater protection of members rights and entitlements than previously on offer in the Federal system.
The ASU has therefore recommended to delegates, members and the JCC that we enter the negotiations with a view to them not being finalised until after the new laws come into play on 1st July 2009. We expect that Relationships Australia will follow the intent of the new laws between now and 1st July.
A number of issues were identified by members during the 2008 enterprise agreement negotiations which remain unresolved. These include such issues as performance based pay and the span of hours. These and other issues brought up over the last couple of years have helped us to formulate the Survey that will be distributed to you.
The Process:
The ASU will survey staff at Relationships Australia to find out what you want in an Enterprise Agreement. Your ASU will then develop a log of claims for members to endorse. This claim will be voted on by members only.
The ASU will call on your delegates to determine the ASU representation on the Enterprise Negotiating Committee.
To ensure transparency we will be setting up a delegates/contacts network. Your union feels that it is important that the needs and views of each section and region be included and feed into the process. The needs of those working in Bathurst and Newcastle and Sydney will be different. To do this we need to have a representative in every workplace who would receive updates from the ASU office and feedback the feelings of members during the process.
Regular bulletins will be issued to keep everyone informed and advised.
What do we need to do?
1 Attend and get involved in the meetings that will be held in your worksite.
2 Complete the survey when it is distributed and return it as soon as possible.
3 Join the ASU and become a member.
4 Put your hand up to be a delegate or contact in your workplace if there is no delegate already in place.
5 Become involved with the CARE Campaign, particularly the Rally to be held on Sunday 31st May 2009 at Hyde Park.
