SA TAB Members Say a Collective 'No'

After months of negotiations ASU Workplace Reps at SA TAB finally reached agreement with management about their collective agreement. There were some improvements negotiated including a pay increase of 4% in the first year. The Agreement was sent to members for a vote in the last fortnight of March with the counting of the vote on 30 March.

The result of the vote was in favour of the new Agreement however on 27 March, the Howard Government's industrial relations changes came in and the TAB withdrew the Agreement.

SA TAB management took advice and as a result, the new Agreement bore little resemblance to the Agreement that staff had previously voted on. Many clauses were removed or altered with SA TAB justifying this based on the new legislation.

ASU WPRs asked for changes to protect existing and negotiated entitlements and TAB management's answer was 'NO'.

ASU WPRs put forward the common sense option of protecting employee's rights by entering into a common law deed to incorporate all the conditions that have been stripped from Awards and Agreements by the Howard Government. This is an option that many employers are taking to protect their employees' rights and conditions. SA TAB's answer was again a firm NO.

It is now SA TAB's stated intention to issue the Agreement as it is to staff for voting; perhaps they believe that they can purchase the vote by way of the 4% pay rise. ASU Workplace Representatives do not support this document as it stands. The message given to all SA TAB employees is to VOTE NO to this new Agreement which has not been negotiated between the parties.

ASU WPRs are asking all TAB staff to stand together and wear the vote 'NO' badges to show SA TAB that the workers are united against the destruction of rights at work.

For more information on this campaign contact ASU Organiser Louise Miksza on 8363 1322 or lmiksza@asu-sant.asn.au