Local Government EB - Don't believe everything you are told!

It has been brought to our attention that the Local Government Association (the Local Government Bosses Union) has been running seminars for employee and management representatives on Enterprise Bargaining Committees about what they say can and can’t be in Enterprise Agreements as a result of the High Court's Decision in the “Electrolux” case.

It appears that EB representatives have come away with the impression that provisions relating to ASU Representative Rights and general Union rights are not allowed in Enterprise Agreements any more.

This is not correct. Such provisions are allowed in Enterprise Agreements albeit in a few cases it may require some slight rewording.

In fact virtually all the clauses that currently appear in our Local Government Enterprise Agreements are still allowable. The only exception to this are clauses providing payroll deduction facilities to employees and even these can be made subject to a separate agreement.

So before you agree to any clauses being deleted or modified in your Agreement on the basis that they are 'no longer legal' or they are 'not allowable' contact your Union Organiser for advice.

Also please remember before reaching final agreement on anything around the negotiating table and certainly before putting any Agreements out to members to vote on, get it checked by the Union Office. This will not only help ensure that your Agreement will be approved by the Industrial Commission but also ensure that no unexpected / unintended 'nasties' are hidden in the text of the Agreement.

If you have any queries about the above please contact your Union Organiser.