Transport & Travel

Contracts, Core Hours and Travelex EBA

Thomas Cook & Travelex Bulletin No. 8

Last Thursday 21 June 2002 we again met with Travelex about the EBA. Travelex tabled more information on their Learning Proposals but also listed what they really want from the Agreement including the change to Core Hours.

Core Hours - The Change

Travelex want a change in Core Hours:

FROM - 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 1.00pm Saturday (Sydney, Melbourne and Perth)

TO - 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday

There have been discussions about a possible "buyout" of the loadings on the hours lost. This means any money lost as a result of the change in Core Hours could be made up in the base salary. The Company are looking at a possible offer to effected staff in airports and probably to dayworkers in areas like Holiday Money who now get overtime payments for early starts and late finishes.

What does this mean to you?

For existing staff currently paid under the Thomas Cook Sydney Airport Agreement or working in daywork areas, this could mean that wages aren't affected. We won't know until we see the offer.

Even if an offer is put the reality of any buyout means that existing staff will be on different wages and conditions to new employees. This means a cheaper workforce is created.

If existing staff members have higher wages because of the buyout:

• Who will be asked to work shifts with loading?
• Who will be asked to do overtime?
• Who will be asked to work higher duties?
• Who will be asked to take redundancy?

The buyout may look good on paper but when you examine it, the buyout means that two workforces are created in the one workplace - the existing staff and new employees.

What does it mean to staff outside of Sydney, Melbourne and Perth Airports?

It means that the differences currently existing between the airports will remain as the buyout only is offered to affected staff. Yes the Core Hours are changed but the inequity remains.

It’s O.K. not to sign

Travelex has begun to offer new contracts of employment for branch staff. As was expected the contracts relate to the inclusion of MLM and performance assessments as an ordinary part of work practice.

ASU National Office Bulletin 4 outlined what a new contract of employment will mean to staff.

You do not have to sign the contract of employment. If you don't sign the contract of employment, your working conditions will remain the same and the push to make MLM voluntary will continue.

If you sign the contract you will be agreeing to take on MLM and performance review - WITHOUT ANY PAYRISE.

What can I do?

ASU members are asking for choice in relation to MLM. If you sign the contract of employment you will be making the choice to live with MLM. It is also unwise to sign anything until you know more about the performance review.

You have every right not to sign. If you are feeling pressured (as has been indicated by ASU members) you can state that you are seeking legal advice on your contract or that you don't feel comfortable agreeing to the document.

For more information about the contracts of employment please contact your ASU delegate or organiser.