Active Negotiation Gets Results

IN BRIEF:

• ASU Members at ETSA vote on their Enterprise Agreement
• Various Work Choices prohibited items now reinstated
• 50% increase in the yearly electricity account network reimbursement per achieved
• Pay increases of 5% back dated to 1 July 2011, 4.5% as at 1 July 2012 and 4.5% as at 1 July 2013
• New consultation framework and committee to resolve issues during the life of the Agreement
• The consultation committee will meet from early 2012 focusing on issues not resolved in these negotiations.

Over the past year ASU Reps at ETSA have worked tirelessly to negotiate for hundreds of ASU members across the company. They have held dozens of meetings with members and represented members' collective position in negotiations with ETSA management.

"In November 2010 ASU representatives first began collecting feedback from members on local and corporate issues to prioritise issues for members' claim. These were to encourage ETSA to begin negotiations on a new enterprise agreement. All members had a chance to discuss and identify ideas that could be incorporated in a log of claims via emails, Union meetings, or over a cup of coffee. Thanks to many positive responses from members a claim was submitted to ETSA by the ASU in December" said ASU Workplace Rep Neil Gosden.

• Various items that were prohibited under Work Choices and removed from the previous Agreement have now been reinstated.
• An increase in the electricity account network reimbursement from $400 to $600 per year.
• Pay increases of 5% back dated to 1 July 2011, 4.5% as at 1 July 2012 and 4.5% as at 1 July 2013.
• New consultation framework and committee to resolve issues during the life of the Agreement.

Members consistently said that although they were happy with items that had been negotiated they would not sign off on an Agreement that did not resolve the issue of consultation to their satisfaction. It took a collective effort from Reps however ETSA finally conceded to an improved consultation clause.

The consultation committee will meet from early 2012 and members will have the opportunity to identify what should be discussed at this forum. Over the coming months ASU Reps will continue their work to seek members' input and feedback.

The consultative committee presents an opportunity to test the willingness of ETSA to consult and be accountable for issues not resolved during these negotiations. By continuing to act together, members will collectively ensure adequate consultation and resolution of issues now and into the future.

"Hopefully the inclusion of a consultative committee will provide benefits for all ETSA employees for now and the future. Thanks to all ASU members for their support, Matt Blowes and Austin White for their guidance and advice and all the ASU Workplace Representatives who worked extremely hard to represent ASU members in a professional manner" said Neil Gosden.