Info Tech: Canon

Back to the table at Canon

By the ASU - the info tech industry union

This week (11th and 12th August) your ASU delegates and NCC representatives, with ASU Assistant National Secretary Linda White, met with Canon management to recommence negotiations of the Technical Consultants Agreement after the company's draft was overwhelmingly rejected by technical consultants. Tabled at the meeting were the petitions signed by you and your colleagues across the country, outlining what techs want in their new agreement.

Our claim

1. Fair wages $3,000 from 1st March (starting in 2009) for each year of the agreement (i.e. 2010, 2011), whatever remaining to be distributed through performance payments, doing away with the previous system which was reliant on the (un)balance scorecard.

2. Job security and job choice The choice between transferring to a new company or accepting redundancy in the event of business changes (e.g. dealerships). The NCC also sought to narrow the 'flexibility' clause to ensure the protection of conditions of employment in the event of business changes.

3. Maintenance of existing conditions The return of blood donors leave, 'aunt and uncle' to carers leave and the return of union rights clauses.

4. Better consultation Consultation with the NCC on uniform changes before their implementation.

Canon's response to the claim

1. Fair Wages - Reject - only pay for performance because that is "how it is done in the rest of Canon" and apparently that is what techs want. The offer is performance pay from a pool of 5.3% from 1 July 2009, and from a pool of Market movement/CPI/3% (whichever highest) for the remaining years using the (un)balanced scorecard system. Back pay from 1 March 2009 to be paid as a one off incentive payment based on criteria to be developed by NCC and Canon.

2. Job Security / Job Choice - Reject - voluntary redundancies in the event of business changes. Reject NCC changes to flexibility clauses.

3. Reinstatement of existing conditions - Agree to blood donors leave, changes to carers leave, trade union rights.

4. Consultation - Agree - consultation with NCC on uniform changes.

Where to from here?

The NCC went into negotiations with an arm full of petitions outlining what you and your colleagues wanted in your agreement. The NCC could not and would not agree to or reject Canon's position (however similar it is to what has already been rejected by techs) without consulting with you. We will do this before the next meeting which is tentatively at the end of August.

Before the NCC and the ASU meet with Canon again we will be seeking your comments and opinions on the Canon response. Please let your local ASU delegate and NCC rep know your thoughts.

Questions?

You may have lots of questions about the new laws. If you do, give your ASU Delegate or NCC Rep a call or contact your local ASU organiser a call.

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