PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION

BACKGROUND

Historically the CPSU together with other Unions at United Water have negotiated Enterprise Agreements to secure outcomes for improvements in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees at United Water.

However, November 2006 saw the Federal Government introduce the WorkChoices legislation which mandates how Enterprise Agreements and Awards will, or will not apply for staff at United Water.

Since the enabling of the workChoices legislation United Water and the Unions have been negotiating a successor Enterprise Agreement which is WorkChoices compliant yet (when possible) includes all the provisions that were previously contained in the United Water Employees Award and previous Enterprise Agreements.

OUTCOME

The Unions and United Water have concluded negotiations for a draft Enterprise Agreement that:

• Is a consolidated document incorporating all allowable provisions of the previous United Water Employees Award and previous Enterprise Agreements.

• Is WorkChoices compliant.

• Has a duration from lodgment with the Office of the Employment Advocate until 1 July 2009.

• Contains 4% wage increase payable 1 November 2006.

• Plus 4% wage increase payable 1 October 2007.

• Plus 3.5% wage increase payable 1 September 2008.

• 14 weeks paid maternity leave.

• Shift change-over times to be increased to 20 minutes paid time for CPSU members employed in the Control Centre, Happy Valley.

NON-ALLOWABLE MATTERS

United Water agreed to include into United Water Policy those matters which were previously contained in the Award and Enterprise Agreements and which are now deemed “non-allowable” by the Office of Employment Advocate as per the WorkChoices legislation. United Water also agreed not to amend any policy without first abiding to the consultative provisions contained in the new Enterprise Agreement.

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

United Water has submitted the draft Agreement to the Office for the Employment Advocate for approval after which, the draft Agreement will be presented to all staff for ballot.

It is anticipated that the ballot should be able to commence no later than early May.

The CPSU has negotiated with United Water to ensure that members will not be disadvantaged through the implementation of WorkChoices and the adoption of a new Enterprise Agreement. The CPSU has remained focused on negotiating an Enterprise Agreement which (while compliant with WorkChoices) ensures members retain their current terms and conditions of employment plus, receive improved conditions together with reasonable wage increases.

The CPSU considers the total offer package to be presented to members is reasonable and recommends that members participate in the upcoming ballot and support the acceptance of the proposed Agreement by voting, “YES”.

If you have any queries on the matters raised in this information brief and require further detail on the proposed Agreement please contact either CPSU Worksite Representative Robert Schmidt at Greenhill Road on 8301 2875 or alternatively CPSU Industrial Officer Mike Thorpe on 8205 3284.