The current Enterprise Agreement will expire early in 2003 and the ASU will lodge a formal set of Claims on the Council with which to commence negotiations in the New Year.

The new Agreement will cover all Council employees and your input during the negotiation process will be invited through the ASU and other elected Representatives.

The ASU will call for expressions of interest from members to nominate for membership of:

§ The central EBA negotiating committee and

§ A committee of Civic Solutions members to assist in the Agreement consultation process and nominate representatives to the above Committee.

I suggest that you and your fellow members informally discuss the ideas that you wish to see included in the Claims the Union puts to management during the negotiation process.

The participation of the employee representatives on the Enterprise Bargaining Committees during the last Agreement discussions was most appreciated and I believe resulted in a most acceptable outcome – lets see if we can improve on the past results.

Your future wages and conditions stand to be improved through the development of the next Enterprise Agreement – please carefully consider the part you will play to produce reasonable outcomes.

Merry Christmas to you & your family

The ASU Local Government Team wish you & your family a very happy and restful Christmas and a safe New Year.

ASU lodges Enterprise Agreement 2003 claim on Kingborough Council

Monday, November 18, 2002

The ASU has lodged a claim for a new Enterprise Agreement with the Council on behalf of ASU members.

The current Agreement expires on 30th June 2003.

The ASU has conducted meetings of members at the Depot and Office to seek ideas and brief members on the draft contents of the claim.

The ASU has since developed the ideas of members, as suggested at the meetings, for inclusion in the ASU claim.

The Central Negotiating Committee will now commence the negotiations for an Agreement.

What are some of the ASU claims?

§ 3 year Agreement

§ Three (3) Wage instalments –Total of 13.5%

§ Paid Maternity leave [13 weeks].

§ Continuation of redeployment & redundancy provisions

§ Non union employees –payment of Union Bargaining Fee

§ Charter for rights of Union Representatives

§ Union Reps – leave to attend Industrial Relations courses

§ Casual Employees protection

§ Transmission of Business

§ Continuation of Salary Sacrifice Provision

§ Improved Long Service Leave

§ Improved employer Superannuation contributions

To view the full claim you can download it here.

MORE NEWS SOON

ASU Tasmanian Branch State Conference

Monday, November 4, 2002

Saturday 9th November, 2002, Rydges Hotel, North Hobart

Program

10.00 am Official Opening

10.30 am Official Welcome to Delegates, Mr P Slape, National Secretary, ASU

11.00am MORNING TEA

11.30am Industrial Relations – “The Challenge –The Change”

12.15pm LUNCH

1.30pm Presentation of LIFE MEMBERSHIPS

2.00pm ASU National Report

2.30pm Superannuation –an overview of Policy & Practice

3.00pm AFTERNOON TEA

3.30pm Local Government in Tasmania – The Government Perspective

4.15pm OFFICIAL CLOSURE OF CONFERENCE

ASU members at Clarence City Council vote for agreement – not disruption

Monday, October 21, 2002

Clarence City Council Enterprise Agreement 2002

ASU State Branch Secretary, Sean Kelly, congratulated all ASU members and potential ASU members on the resounding vote in support of the Enterprise Agreement 2002 today.

The vote has sent a message to all staff that even though an Agreement can continue to be improved, after more than 12 months of negotiations it was improper that a union official could attempt to hijack the work of the ASU and APESMA Union Officials and staff representatives in negotiating a final document after 12 months of hard work.

The staff representatives, who gave a lot of time and expertise over many months, are to be congratulated for their consistent and sustained work (most of the time in agreement with management, but not without disagreement during the many discussions!) and have produced an innovative and important Agreement which will produce:

§ Wage increases for all staff

§ Improved work conditions

§ A new wage/salary structure that will benefit many staff over the life of the Agreement.

It was a privilege for me to work with fellow Union Officials and representatives of the ASU and APESMA.

But I do not support the attempted hijack of the Agreement, in the last week of the Ballot process, by a small-disaffected group of employees and a union official. He played no part in any negotiations during the year, but conducted unauthorised meetings of a small number of employees on the day of the official vote.

Finding an issue to incite employees at the last minute is an abuse of the responsible role union officials are required to play – it is not something that I will have a part of. Legitimate industrial action is acceptable – but the antics of that union official undermine the credibility of all unions.

The ASU and fellow unions, along with Employee Representatives on the Enterprise Bargaining Committee, will now look forward to the implementation of the various provisions of the Agreement.

ASU MEMBERS & STAFF OVERWHELMINGLY ENDORSED THE WORK OF STAFF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE NEGOTIATION OF THE EBA 2002.

THE ASU OFFICIALS WILL NOW NEGOTIATE THE BENEFITS OF THE AGREEMENT DURING THE LIFE OF THE AGREEMENT.

LaTrobe Enterprise Agreement 2002 – ASU Report

Tuesday, October 1, 2002

Following the request by ASU members, discussions were held with the General Manager by Sean Kelly, Branch Secretary and Peter Dawson, ASU Representative to introduce the following into an Enterprise Agreement:

§ REDUNDANCY & REDEPLOYMENT PROVISIONS in the case of a restructure of staff at some stage in the future [noting that nothing is planned by the Council]

§ SALARY SACRIFICE options for staff.

The General Manager was not opposed to the proposals and noted that the Council had already adopted the Redeployment & Redundancy provisions as a policy of Council. However he understood the reasons why the field workforce made the Claim and was prepared to support the development of an Agreement.

The ASU drafted an Agreement document, which has now been officially certified in the Arbitration Commission.

ASU to initiate discussions with General Manager re wages for 2003

Sean Kelly will make contact with the General Manager in the near future to discuss the options available regarding wages for ASU members.

A meeting of members will be arranged soon to discuss the position.

A full report will be provided following the discussions.

ASU News

Posted September 17, 2002

To download the latest ASU News bulletin (PDF) click here.

Burnie Treatment Plants Proposals - ASU meeting of members

September 9, 2002

The ASU will soon commence negotiations with Burnie City Council on behalf of ASU members re the proposals for change at the Treatment Plants.

The ASU will need to discuss the concerns of members prior to any discussions with management.

The ASU meeting will discuss the management proposals [already received by members] along with your ideas & response to ultimately put to management.

You are invited to attend this very important meeting.

On: Wednesday, September 11, 2002

At: The Roundhill Treatment Plant

At: 10.30 am

Aurora Energy: Credit & Sales Restructure - ASU Report

September 9, 2002

Sean Kelly, ASU Secretary, and Margaret Midgley, Industrial Officer, participated in two discussions with staff [on Monday in Hobart & Rocherlea on Tuesday] affected by the restructure to identify the concerns of staff and initiated follow up discussions with management [Rolfe Brimfield & Russell Scott] this week [Wednesday].

The background and effect of the restructure was explained in some detail by management following a request by the ASU at the meeting on Wednesday.

Management gave initial Notice of the restructure decision to Margaret Midgley on Monday afternoon 26th August 2002 and following a request by Margaret, management forwarded the ASU an email on 27th August, explaining the rationale for the changes.

What is clear is that:

§ Management have identified positions to be declared redundant

§ Staff are considering their personal position

§ The opportunity will be available for staff to seek expressions of interest for the available positions

The ASU requested that management identify those staff who wish to seek a redundancy and then place the remainder of the staff to appropriate positions [within their level of competence and current range of experience] rather than “spill and fill all the positions. Management have declined to agree to such an approach.

Management have confirmed that those staff who are selected for the positions, will be on the basis of their core competencies and that every effort will be made to provide support and training where necessary. Management confirmed that a number of the positions have changed significantly in the duties and responsibilities for the new roles.

This commitment is important since some staff were concerned that the proper recognition of their skill and experience may not occur and they would be unsuccessful in their application for a position.

ASU officials meet with staff & management regarding the credit & sales restructure

The ASU also raised a number of matters with management including:

§ Staff were taken by surprise at the way in which the decision to restructure was announced

§ Staff believed that the consultation could have occurred at an earlier stage.

§ Counselling support seem not to have been offered

§ Management didn’t clarify just what the restructure meant – some staff believed that their employment had been terminated

§ The ASU discussed the position regarding contract staff, should permanent staff be declined a position.

Next meeting of the ASU with management:

It was agreed that the ASU would again meet with management following the receipt of Expressions of Interest for Positions after 11th September 2002.

The ASU will provide a further report to affected staff when some further information becomes available.

Regional local government delegates’ meetings a success

June 19, 2002

Sean Kelly, recently appointed Tasmanian Branch Secretary of the ASU, welcomed local government representatives to workshops conducted by the ASU Tasmanian Branch.

The National Secretary, Paul Slape also attended all the workshops and briefed delegates on the activities and challenges for the ASU from a national perspective.

Photo 1: L-R Peter Dawson (Latrobe), Mike Lynd (Devonport), Will Peisker (Burnie), Paul Slape, Andrew Black (Devonport).

Photo 2: L-R Tony Wolfe (Kingborough), Paul Slape, Sean Kelly, John Phillips (Hobart).

The workshops were conducted in all regions around Tasmania for delegates both with experience and those recently appointed in local government. The delegates met people from other councils to share ideas and concepts.

ASU Officials provided briefings regarding:

§ Current issues and trends in industrial relations

§ Update in regard to enterprise bargaining agreements provisions and standards,

§ Changes to Workers Compensation legislation

§ A general briefing on administrative and industrial staffing changes in services in the ASU.

ACTU National Survey of Workplace Issues 2002

May 17, 2002

Secretary Sean Kelly encourages all members and potential members of the ASU Tasmanian Branch to download and fill out the survey as requested by the National Secretary below.

The Tasmanian Branch will be provided with an analysis of the Tasmanian responses so we will be in a good position to adjust our strategic approach to representing your interests.

Letter from the ASU National Secretary

Dear Member / Potential Member

Re: ACTU National Survey of Workplace Issues 2002

The ACTU is conducting a national survey among a wide range of employees in order to gain more detailed information on workplace issues such as working hours, changes to workplace conditions and job security.

The ASU is supporting the ACTU in this venture because we believe that the data collected will be useful for our Union to better represent you in the workplace.

Whether you are a member or not, please take the time to fill out the survey. You can download a copy using the link below.

Remember, the ACTU requires the surveys back by no later than Wednesday, July 31, 2002.

Thank you for your assistance and we look forward to working smarter with you in the future.

Yours faithfully

Paul Slape

NATIONAL SECRETARY

ASU Tasmanian Branch version of ACTU Survey

(PDF file format)

Pay Equity Campaign - Community Services Award

May 7, 2002

The Australian Services Union made application to the Tasmanian Industrial Commission in November of 2001 to vary the Community Services Award. The matter was adjourned to enable discussions between the parties to take place. Deputy President Watling made it clear that he will re-list the matter when ‘discussions are completely exhausted.’

The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) is in the process of consulting with its affiliates and we expect to commence discussions with the TCCI in the next few weeks.

The ASU has also briefed the State Minister for Health and Human Services Judy Jackson and the State Government budget sub committee.

The Union position in terms of the claim before the Commission is subject to on-going consultation with members. The campaign kit contains ‘version 2’ of the Union’s position. Download the kit here.

Who is involved

The Australian Services Union has set up coordinating committees based in Launceston & Hobart. The campaign also has the support of Unions Tasmania and the Health Services Union.

A number of organisations have indicated support for the campaign, including the Community Sector Employers Association of Tasmania, the Working Women’s Centre, the Family Support Services Association and over 30 organisations

What Can You Do?

A central part of the campaign is to build understanding of the principles of pay equity and to gain support from employees working in Community Services. Think about....

§ Talking to co-workers about joining the ASU and participating in the campaign

§ Talking to co-workers about the benefits of being a member of the union and distributing Union information in your workplace;

§ Organising workplace meetings to identify and address issues and strategies

§ Organising meetings with management in relation to the campaign

§ If you are on a management committee of a community services organisation raise the issue at one of your meetings.

§ Researching pay equity issues and preparing submissions and evidence for the Commission hearings.

For further information on the campaign or to arrange for a Union representative to talk to a workplace meeting contact Ian Paterson, Industrial Officer, ASU ph 6224 3411 e-mail ipaterson@asutas.org

ASU energy representatives meeting with Aurora Energy

April 29, 2002

After recently completing a successful Enterprise Bargaining Agreement with Tasmania's largest energy company, the ASU is now negotiating new work agreements aimed at providing further improvements for members.

The Negotiating Team lead by Tasmanian Branch Secretary Sean Kelly, and including Customer Service Centre Delegate Marilyn Turnbull, pursued workplace improvements that would provide positive outcomes for members.

The Negotiating Team and Management representatives were briefed by not only Management on the complexities of new energy markets and deregulation, but also received a clear appraisal of the energy market, the sector's deregulation and employee pressures by ASU Assistant National Secretary Greg McLean.

Branch Secretary Sean Kelly advised, "It is pretty impressive to go into negotiations and not just rely upon the Management's view of the energy market and deregulation, but to be able to have a union official, in particular from the ASU, being able to outline the sector's future and respond makes our members feel they have honest independent advice and feel much more comfortable. With Greg's past experience in ensuring ASU members get a fair share in workplace reform, we not only see benefits for members, but the security outcomes that we all need these days when we face the pressures of reform."

For further information contact Sean Kelly on (03) 6224 3411 or email him on skelly@asutas.org.

Regional delegates’ meetings for local government

April 18, 2002

Branch Secretary, Sean Kelly, together with Industrial Officer Margaret Midgley &Training Development Officer Catryna Bilyk, is about to embark on a series of regional meetings for local government delegates. National Secretary, Paul Slape, will also attend the meetings to report on National industrial issues.

Held over three days (April - May), the meetings will be in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie and will provide delegates with an update on what is happening industrially and within their Union.

For Sean Kelly, this will be the first round of regional delegates meetings since becoming Branch Secretary.

"I am looking forward to the opportunity of reporting to the delegates and listening to their views," he said, adding "I encourage all local government delegates to attend the meeting nearest to them to have their say on behalf of the members they represent."

Workshops will be conducted from 9.00 AM - 12.30 PM as follows:

SOUTH: TUESDAY 30TH APRIL 2002

CORUS HOTEL

156 BATHURST STREET

HOBART

NORTH: WEDNESDAY 1ST MAY 2002

BALMORAL MOTOR INN

19 YORK STREET

LAUNCESTON

NORTH WEST: THURSDAY 2ND MAY 2002

BASS & FLINDERS ROOM

BURNIE CIVIC CENTRE

WILMOT STREET

BURNIE

For further details about the meetings contact: Catryna Bilyk (Tues, Wed, Thurs) on 03 62 243411, e-mail cbilyk@asutas.org or by mobile 0418 120 714.

Tasmanian Branch official appointed ALP Vice-President

April 4, 2002

Catryna Bilyk, ASU Tasmanian Branch Industrial Officer, is now a Vice-President of the Federal Australian Labor Party.

At a time when the relationship between the union movement and the ALP is being debated, Catryna has no doubt that it should remain strong. She has just been appointed by the National Executive of the ALP as a Vice-President, replacing Queensland MHR Arch Bevis, who has stepped down from the position.

"Whilst I am all for the party and the union movement periodically reviewing and updating the relationship, I have a firm view that the two wings of the labour movement are intrinsically linked and inseparable and must work together," Catryna said following her appointment.

"History shows that the ALP can only achieve office and govern successfully when it works in harmony with the unions and likewise the unions achieve better results for their members when Labor is in power," she added.

Catryna, who has been a member of the ASU and the ALP since the late 1980s and has served on the ALP National Executive before, says she is looking forward to again contributing a union and a women's perspective to the running of the ALP.

"After three federal election defeats in a row it is a difficult and challenging time to serve on the National Executive but it is also an exciting time because all policies (except the prohibition on the sale of any further parts of Telstra) and the structures of the party are under the microscope and I look forward to listening to and contributing to the debate," she said.

Catryna can be contacted on cbilyk@asutas.org

Clarence City Council EBA 2002 - Progress Report No 1

March 25, 2002

Sean Kelly, Secretary of the ASU, participated in the first discussions of the Enterprise Bargaining Committee towards the next Enterprise Agreement.

ASU EBA CLAIMS

The ASU has put forward the following Claims for consideration by management:

UNION CLAIMS

Wage Instalments – Unions will decide quantum & length of the Agreement on finalisation of the respective Claims of the Parties
New salary, Classification system [as per the final agreed Memorandum of Understanding –14/6/2001
Phased in Retirement
Paid Maternity Leave
Payment for Long Service Leave
Extension of Salary Sacrifice deductions
Professional development opportunities
Provisions re the legal liability of employees

A formal Claim for wage instalments payable during the life of the Agreement will be made when the complete agenda for the Agreement is known & agreed.

MANAGEMENT CLAIMS

Management has also put forward the following list of Claims to the Committee for consideration & discussion by employees:

MANAGEMENT CLAIMS

New Remuneration system – most elements are in accordance with the agreed Memorandum referred to above
Leave package – Annual Leave

- Maternity Leave

Amendments to the No Credit No Debit Sick Leave system
Customer Service framework – Process Development
Work Management Policy
Stand by & Callout System- Redevelopment
Redevelopment of Data Collection Systems
Award Simplification – implementation of Industrial Relations Act requirements
Inclusion of various matters from previous Agreements

The General Manager said that he hoped that the Agreement could be in place by July.

ASU MEETINGS

The ASU has sought that meetings be conducted to brief members about the various Claims and to seek early input from members about their views of the respective Claims. The Council’s agenda has the potential to make significant [positive] changes to your Award Job Classifications & Wages Structure – you need to be fully briefed to ultimately make an informed decision on these matters.

Further details will be available after Easter.

You are urged to participate in ASU meetings to discuss the content of the next Enterprise Agreement

Visit the 2005 news archive.

Visit the 2004 news archive.

Visit the 2003 news archive.

Visit the 2001 news archive.

Authorised and published by Sean Kelly,

Secretary, Australian Services Union Tasmanian Branch,

265 Macquarie Street, Hobart, Tasmania, 7000, Australia

URL: www.asu.asn.au/tasmania/news2002.html

General E-mail: help@asutas.org

Last Modified: 8 August 2007

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