Uniting Care Campaign

The Big Issues Remain Unresolved

Details

Published on Tuesday, 28 October, 2008

The bargaining teams met on Thursday 16th of October to begin negotiations. Prior to this meeting, dates were established for both parties to provide copies of their claims for consideration. The Employee Representaive Team provided Uniting Care with a 29 point claim. Management have also presented the Employee Representative Team with 5 further claims.

Time In Lieu and Overtime

Staff at Uniting Care have simply requested that Uniting Care employees be afforded the same rights to payment for overtime worked as afforded to all other workers in the Industry and a review of the current TIL system.
Management's Response - Not Agreed

A Clearer Salary Scale

The Employee Representative Team has requested a review of the current salary scale and job assessment methods. An overwhelming number of employees have raised this concern with the ASU and Staff negotiators throughout the consultation process.
Management's Response - Not Agreed

Introduction of Change Provisions

Employees have requested that the Uniting Care (service group) Enterprise Agreement make reference to the provisions of section 50 of the SACS Award to afford all workers genuine consultation provisions prior to the introduction of change to your work or workplace. This is a provision that every other worker in the industry receives.
Management's Response - Not Agreed

Increase In On Call Allowance and Call Back Rates

The Employee Representative Team requested an increase in "On Call" allowance and the ability to be paid this allowance in recognition of the impact that this duty has on employee's personal lives.
Management's Response - Not Agreed

Increase In Bereavement Leave

As Uniting Care employees are engaged in the business of working with people who are often bereaved themselves, employees have requested an increase in Bereavement Leave to assist with their return to work.
Management's Response - Not Agreed

The Big Issues Remain Unresolved

The bargaining teams met on Thursday 16th of October to begin negotiations. Prior to this meeting, dates were established for both parties to provide copies of their claims for consideration. The Employee Representative Team provided Uniting Care with a 29 point claim. Management have also presented the Employee Representative Team with 5 further claims. Removal of Performance Based Pay Workers have requested that progression between all annual increments within a grade be automatic.
Management's Response - Not Agreed

Ability to Access Long Service Leave After 5 Years

To assist the Service group in their ability to attract and retain staff, the Employee Representative Team has requested that employees be able to access their Long Service Leave on a pro rata basis after five years.
Management's Response - Not Agreed

Motor Vehicles

The Management Team have not agreed to our claims regarding motor vehicles, including our claim for an increase in vehicle allowance which was very strongly supported by workers throughout the claim endorsement stage. Management have also forwarded their own log of Claims, in which they have flagged their intention to "remove the provision of a salary package vehicle from the EBA". Annual Pay Increase For months management have known that this would be a big ticket item for negotiations, however as yet management have been unable to comment on this issue as they have not completed their "financial modelling". As Uniting Care have taken no position on wage increases. We have been unable to enter into any discussions around annual pay increase.

Urgent: You need to help us build your negotiating power and to help us find out more about the Motor Vehicle Situation at Uniting Care Children, Young People and Family Service. Every employee at Uniting Care CYPFS should:

1. Join the ASU, visit: www.asumembers.org.au
2. Complete the motor vehicle survey that will be available on the Uniting Care campaign page on the ASU website at www.asumembers.org.au from Monday the 3rd of November. Full details of the claim and negotiations so far can be found at: www.asumembers.org.au

A  more comprehensive update of the current state of negotiations can be downloaded here (pdf document).

For further information contact: ASU Organiser Natalie Lang 1300 784 278 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.asumembers.org.au