Thursday, 8 April 2010
For immediate release
Media Release
SOUTHERN WATER STARTS ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATIONS
Southern Water today started negotiations to develop a new Enterprise Agreement (EA).
Tony Baker, Southern Water’s Executive Manager People and Culture, said the negotiations were taking into account the many different awards and agreements Southern Water employees were currently being paid under.
Southern Water employee conditions are governed by the pre-existing terms and conditions of their prior workplaces, before the State Government water and sewerage reforms in 2009.
“Currently there are thirteen different agreements or awards that govern the employment relationship with our people. We have started the formal process today to develop one single Enterprise Agreement (EA) specific to Southern Water.”
The Enterprise Agreement will consolidate working conditions for 330 Southern Water employees.
“Six Unions representing our people took part in meetings today; the Australian Services Union (ASU), Australian Workers Union (AWU), the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), the Communication, Electrical, Plumbing Union (CEPU), the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia (APESMA) and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU).
“In addition, seven individual staff members representing either themselves or a group of Southern Water people participated as is allowed under the provisions of the new legislation.”
Mr Baker said the first meeting was a positive start to the process.
“Today was the first full meeting that included all bargaining agents in a schedule of fortnightly meetings. It was a productive meeting with all parties realising the complexity of the task at hand.”
Southern Water hopes to have the new EA operational on 1 July, 2010.
Note: Enterprise Agreement (EA) is the new term, Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) is now defunct under the new federal Industrial Relations legislation (Fair Work Australia Act 2009).
Southern Water
