CSU Bargaining Update No 2

February 23, 2009

Your CPSU Bargaining Team update

A second meeting took place last Wednesday (18 February) regarding the prospect of the University and unions agreeing to an interim agreement to take us to the end of 2009.

What does the CPSU want?

We have a comprehensive log of claims, developed and endorsed by members, for an Agreement to expire in 2011. Our default position is to pursue that log of claims for a full agreement. However, the proposal for an interim agreement is not without merit and we believe it is worthwhile exploring this option.

What has been proposed?

The essence of the proposal for an interim agreement is:

An agreement to expire in December 2009;
The parties commence negotiations for a new agreement in September 2009;
A short term pay rise, inclusive of the 2% payment from December 2009, of between six and eight per cent;
The reinstatement of union rights lost under HEWRRs;
Addressing some points from our respective logs of claim including superannuation, 35‐hour week, casual loading and consultation on employee related policies, and
The reinstatement of some important rights that were previously a part of HECE.

Why has this been proposed?

It would allow the parties to begin renegotiations at a point that could take into account any changes that have been brought about by the federal budget, the Government’s new Fair Work Australia legislation, and the impacts of any proposed Institutional mergers on enterprise bargaining.

What the University said?

The University did not agree to the full range of claims that were on the table.
However we understand that the University’s Executive, which is meeting this week, may reconsider the options put forward by the unions for an interim agreement.