Your union has made further progress on adult rates transition and consultation. We now believe we have negotiated the best deal possible.
Your bargaining team recommends we make the deal and lock in the gains made
while continuing work to address unfair gaps in pay, condition and
classification through a service wide, better way to bargain campaign.
Management agreed to key elements of our reasonable settlement proposal
Genuine, enforceable consultation provisions that give you an
opportunity to influence decisions not only in appearance, but in fact.
Subject to satisfactory performance, transition from junior to adult
rates to be effective from 1 July 2010 (approximately 5 weeks after
commencement).
Inclusion of allowances for superannuation purposes.
Management has moved, but they did not agree to everything we sought
Questacon did not agree to protect women's super when on unpaid
maternity leave.
And there was no further movement on matters we’ve pushed throughout
negotiations including addressing the financial disadvantage of Questacon
staff, joint classification review, allowances for clothing or footwear,
improved travel allowances (although we’re told a review is soon to be
completed), and maintenance of temporary assignment of duties and eyesight
subsidy entitlements.
Far from the model agreement, but a chance to lock in significant gains
Big win for junior rate employees – adult rates based on satisfactory
performance. Did you know that ransitioning off junior rates means hourly
wages as low as $11.70 will go up to $19.50!
A say in your workplace - Genuine, enforceable consultation provisions
Better income in retirement - 15.4% superannuation regardless of choice
of fund
Improved allowances - Healthy lifestyle reimbursement of up to $150
Improved support for parents – paid adoption leave up to 14 weeks, paid
supporting leave up to 2 weeks (from personal leave), vacation child care
subsidy increased to $22 per child per day and provision of car park for
women in their third trimester
Early commencement to provide for maximum possible pay rise under
Government policy. If we make the deal now the pay offer will be 3.4%.
What happens next?
Draft EA to be assessed by DEEWR against government policy – today
Union meetings and vote seeking your endorsement to recommend the
deal – All staff EA meetings Wednesday 31 March 4 and 5:15pm Theatre 1.
Management agreed for you to attend on paid time.
Ministerial approval of the draft EA – estimated week 12 April
Access period for staff consideration – estimated week 19 April
All staff ballot on the proposed EA – estimated week 26 April
(if majority of eligible votes are in favour) Fair Work Australia
approval – estimated by 12 May
EA estimated to commence from 19 May.
Not yet a member?
The growing support and involvement of your colleagues has helped deliver a
better result for Questacon employees. By being union members you help provide
the power and resources we need to continue work to address unfair gaps in APS
pay, conditions and classifications after 30 June 2011. Membership fees are
tax-deductible and tiered to salary so the less you earn, the less you pay i.e.
casuals earning less than $10,000 can join for $3.90 a fortnight.
Find out more and join online here.
