Members' Bargaining Report 18 September 2009

Negotiations Continue

Your bargaining team met with the University on Thursday 17th September 2009.

On the positive side, all parties agreed to the University’s latest draft of the Terms of Engagement clause. A minor change to the clause on First Aid Allowance was agreed by all parties.

On the negative side the meeting as a whole was slower than previous meetings, with a cooler atmosphere at the table as well. In spite of this, as directed by CPSU members the CPSU bargaining team will continue to bargain in good faith and aim to achieve real benefits and outcomes for general staff at Southern Cross University.

Crossing the i’s and dotting the t’s…

Despite current frustrations the end remains in sight, and it’s time to begin the process of finalising wording. This will mean revisiting some issues that have already received in-principle agreement.

• The University has expanded the definition of organisations that issue First Aid Certificates that will be recognised by the University

• Unlike other types of leave, Long Service Leave has traditionally been defined in calendar days. The University is proposing to bring the definition of LSL into line with other leave types. Your CPSU EB team welcomes this clarification and will ensure that this change doesn’t disadvantage staff.

Still Being Negotiated

Complications resulted in the joint indigenous clause not being ready for tabling at this meeting. A draft indigenous clause will be circulated to indigenous members for amendments and then endorsement to table in time for the next bargaining meeting.

Virtually all clauses are now on the table or agreed to in principle. Many have been have been through several versions, so it’s reasonable to expect to see progress in the near future. Live issues include: Intellectual Freedom; Probation; Unsatisfactory performance; General Staff Workloads; Termination of Employment; Overtime; Dispute Resolution; Parental Leave; Incremental Progression; OH&S; and Misconduct.

What’s Next?

The next EB meeting is scheduled for Thursday 1/10/2009. With luck and good will, we will be able to make substantial progress at this meeting. And then we can start to talk money…

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss the progress of Enterprise Bargaining, please feel free to contact a delegate from your Bargaining Team.

The General Staff Bargaining Team

Progress with SCU Enterprise Bargaining at 17 September 2009

What has been agreed?	CPSU claim met		What has not been agreed?	Outstanding issue(s)
4 weeks notice to terminate			Relationships to Awards & Policies	Close to agreement
Long Service Leave			Workloads	Close to agreement
Joint Consultative Forum			Indigenous Employment	Unions to respond to mgt clause
4 weeks notice of non-renewal of fixed term contract			Disputes	Negotiations continue
Facilitation of Change and Labour Flexibility			Superannuation	Still to be negotiated
Variable hours			Overtime	Close to agreement
Sick leave			Union Rights	CPSU to respond
Travel			Misconduct	Negotiations continue
Annual Leave			Probation	Negotiations continue
Community Service Leave			Incremental Progression	Mgt to respond to CPSU clause
Salary Packaging			Occupational Health and Safety	Mgt to respond to CPSU clause
Fixed Term Employment (CPSU and SCU)			Unsatisfactory Performance	Negotiations continue
Classification			Abandonment of Employment	Still to be negotiated
General Staff Career Development			Salaries	Still to be negotiated
Family/Carers Leave			Parental Leave	Close to agreement
Environmental Sustainability			Intellectual Freedom	Close to agreement
Redundancy
Casual General Staff
Hours of Work Principles
Military Leave
First Aid Allowance
Leave Loading
Public Holidays
Shift Penalties and Allowances
Travel for Work
Personal Leave
Performance Mgt Review
Terms of Engagement

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