Organise August
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Organise Issue 5, August 2013 ASU Victorian Private Sector Branch, L1, 117 Capel Street North Melbourne 3051 Penalty rates are an important work right that many previous generations of union members have fought for, and that many Australians today rely on and deserve -- and we won’t let them go without a fight. After all, when we work outside regular hours we’re missing out on time with our families and friends, it’s not unreasonable to get paid a little extra. But here’s the worrying truth, plain and simple: Tony Abbott is on the record supporting the elimination of penalty rates. Tony Abbott needs to understand that penalty rates exist in many industries. ASU members in customer service, airlines, and call centres are amongst the workers who rely on penalty rates as a part of our take home pay. Watch Leah’s story, and tell Tony Abbott that you support penalty rates at australianunions.org.au/penaltyrates Penalty rates under threat Virgin annual leave underpayment Shift workers at Virgin have been underpaid over many years, the ASU has discovered. The Virgin agreement states that shift workers are entitled to annual leave loading equal to 17.5% or their average shift penalties, whichever is greater. But for at least the last 6 years, shift workers have received annual leave loading of 17.5%, regardless of their average shift penalties. After months of meetings between the ASU and Virgin, the company have now agreed to send all members a letter advising of any under or overpayment, and transfer any monies owed. Any staff who have been inadvertently overpaid will not be asked to repay the money. Virgin staff can expect the letter and payments shortly. ASU members are strongly advised to request a copy of their individual payroll calculations, and to check these carefully (help is available from the ASU if necessary). Authorised by Ingrid Stitt, Secretary Australian Services Union Victorian Private Sector Branch, Level 1, 117 Capel Street North Melbourne 3051
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ASU Delegates Magazine
Transcript of Organise August
Organise Issue 5, August 2013 ASU Victorian Private Sector Branch, L1, 117 Capel Street North Melbourne 3051
Penalty rates are an important work right that many previous generations of union members have fought for, and that many Australians today rely on and deserve -- and we won’t let them go without a fight.
After all, when we work outside regular hours we’re missing out on time with our families and friends, it’s not unreasonable to get paid a little extra.
But here’s the worrying truth, plain and simple: Tony Abbott is on the record supporting the elimination of penalty rates.
Tony Abbott needs to understand that penalty rates exist in many industries. ASU members in customer service,
airlines, and call centres are amongst the workers who rely on penalty rates as a part of our take home pay.
Watch Leah’s story, and tell Tony Abbott that you support penalty rates at australianunions.org.au/penaltyrates
Penalty rates under threat
Virgin annual leave underpaymentShift workers at Virgin have been underpaid over many years, the ASU has discovered.
The Virgin agreement states that shift workers are entitled to annual leave loading equal to 17.5% or their average shift penalties, whichever is greater.
But for at least the last 6 years, shift workers have received annual leave loading of 17.5%, regardless of their average shift penalties.
After months of meetings between the ASU and Virgin, the company have now agreed to send all members a letter advising of any under or overpayment, and transfer any monies owed. Any staff who have been inadvertently overpaid will not be asked to repay the money.
Virgin staff can expect the letter and payments shortly. ASU members are strongly advised to request a copy of their individual payroll calculations, and to check these carefully (help is available from the ASU if necessary).
Authorised by Ingrid Stitt, Secretary Australian Services Union Victorian Private Sector Branch, Level 1, 117 Capel Street North Melbourne 3051
RACV Member Contact Centre breakthroughThe ASU Organising Committee at RACV Member Contact Centre has reached a breakthrough in negotiations with management over their new agreement.
In principle agreement has been reached, with a number of great outcomes agreed to.
• Rotating rosters have been ruled out• Employees have a voice in the KPI process through new
consultative arrangements• Redundancy provisions have been protected• Wages increase• And much more
The agreement will now go to a vote of staff.
With the agreement almost in place, the new ASU organising committee can look forward to representing members on a large number of individual issues!
Membership has risen impressively in the last 6 months to achieve great density in the workplace; now is the time for members to stick together and ensure every member enjoys the respect and conditions they have fought for in this agreement!
The new members-only section of the website is now live!
FIND YOUR AGREEMENT
Know your rights!
Delegates are reminded that the new members-only section contains your up-to-date workplace agreement, for all members to access!
The delegate section can be accessed under the same login, and now contains all new information on:• Your rights and role• Organising and recruiting• Delegate skills• Workplace laws• History of unions
Is there other information you’d like to see in the Delegates or Members section? Let us know at [email protected]
Oxfam agreement being finalisedASU delegates at Oxfam have reached in principle agreement on a new enterprise agreement, and members are now considering the document.
Significantly, the freeze on increments that was agreed to by members in the previous bargaining period has now been lifted.
Members are due to vote on the new agreement in the coming week.
TIO agreement endorsedStaff at the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman have endorsed a new agreement that awaits sign-off by the Fair Work Commission next week.
The new agreement contains provisions for non ongoing staff to be transferred to permanent employment, as well as a 3.8% pa pay increase, 28 days annual leave, and provision for 50/52 work arrangements.
Staff also receive a ‘wellness entitlement’ worth $100, to spend on health and wellness related expenses such as help quitting smoking or a stress release massage.
JTG agreement goes to commission... againAn EBA for staff at Jetset Travel Group is once again being submitted to the Fair Work Commission for approval, after technical issues saw the first version of the agreement rejected.
ASU members at JTG have overwhelmingly endorsed the agreement, which delivers:• Wider/higher pay bands at each grade/level of the agreement• A better pay deal – scrapping of the discretionary bonus and a total 10% pay rise on base salary over 3 years • No extension of the span of hours• No change to the meal breaks clause• A description of how and when staff will be assessed to move through the pay bands
Members had previously rejected management offers which failed to deliver on these important improvements.
Back pay for members has already been processed from April 2012, and additional back pay for the period between April and July 2013 is on the way. The new conditions will come into operation as soon as the EBA is approved by the Commission.
Almost 70 ASU Delegates from across Australia recently met in Melbourne and resolved to recommend the ASU Qantas EBA10 offer to members. The settlement includes:
• 3 year EBA to 30 June 2016• 3% pay rise per annum• Commitments on job security for airports, freight and
catering in relation to Next Gen check-in and QGS• Commitments on job security for Telephone Sales
Staff• Rostering committees to continue• Introduction of 50/52 purchase of annual leave• and much more
ASU members meetings will be held to consider ASU members’ position on the EBA. If ASU members endorse the EBA then a vote of all staff will take place.
ASU delegates endorse Qantas agreement
Name of nominee:
Workplace:
Recommendation - why should this delegate be awarded delegate of the year?
Your name (if you are nominating someone other than yourself):
Your contact numbers:
Email:
(AH) (W)
Thanks for taking the time to nominate!
2013 ASU Delegate of the Year
Nominations must be received by 9 October 2013. The award will be presented at the ASU’s 2013 Delegates and Activists Conference on 18 October 2013.
Authorised and Printed by Ingrid Stitt, Branch Secretary, ASU Vic Private Sector Branch, 117 Capel St North Melbourne 3051
The winner and runner up of 2013 ASU Delegate of the Year will each receive a prize to be presented at the ASU Delegate’s Conference on Friday 18 October 2013. Nominate online at www.asuvic.org or email to [email protected]
Once completed, please return to:ASU, PO Box 324 North Melbourne 3051Fax: (03)9320 6799Email: [email protected]
