EBA Negotiation Update March 2020 Covid 19 As

EBA Negotiation Update March 2020

Covid - 19 § As previously discussed. The SBU felt it important to get this negotiation done quickly to ensure it did not conflict with the state elections later this year. § Our members endorsed primarily a “roll over agreement” § Concerns over the uncertainty of availability of negotiating parties due to Covid-19 added urgency to the timeliness of these negotiations. § We completed formal negotiations on Thursday 19/03/2020 for the main agreement, and Paul Hume, Greg Roberts, Ken Feltham and Jack Donaghy finalised the Retail negotiations on Wednesday 25/03/2020 pending final approval from the board and our members to make this an “In Principle” agreement.

What has changed in the proposed agreement. § Roll over of Current Agreement with a 3% per annum wage increase. To come into effect at the expiration of the current agreement. § We have agreed to change the objective of the agreement to better align to the place that EQL is now in. Previous objective was around merging the agreement § Slight change to the Grievance and dispute clause § Annual Leave added to highlight the excess leave provisions § Small change to “Hours of Work” Clause highlighting that all parties acknowledge the need to change shift occasionally, but does not change the rights of employees. § Fixed the Long Service Leave clause to allow employees to take LSL in 1 day blocks. § Fixed a missed clause around 15 minute break while on overtime in the call centres.

What about our other claims We prosecuted the 3 Main claims as endorsed by our members: 1. Non Gender Specific Parental leave provisions 2. Superannuation on Unpaid Maternity leave 3. Changes to the Consultation Provisions around the use of contractors and consultants. Claim 1 and 2. The office of IR gave advice that both of these claims were outside the GOC wages policy. The business has given a commitment that there is no intent to change these policies.

What about our other claims cont. Changes to the Consultation Provisions around the use of contractors and consultants. Energy Queensland The Services Union will continue discussions about long-term workforce planning in the Retail business unit including the resourcing strategy which will include strategies about addressing the number of casual and fixed term appointments; rostering concerns; and information regarding categories of employment of employees, as well as labour hire, contractors and/or consultants.

New Temporary Leave Provision One off provision to enable people to sell their Annual Leave due to hardship created by Covid-19. § This will expire March 31 2021 § No manager can force an employee or put undue pressure on them to sell their leave § Must be at the employees request § Must have a remaining balance of 4 weeks leave.

We will continue to support and work for our MEMBERS! Not a member? Now is the time to join.