No Confidence in Executive Managers
The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) today congratulated the workers at TasWater for standing together and rejecting TasWater’s dodgy deal.
CEPU State Organiser, Todd Lambert described todays EA Vote result as a condemning response against Taswaters Executive Team and the way in which they continue to approach their EA negotiation process.
“88% of workers rejected cuts to their wages and conditions. After 6 months of negotiations Taswater management needs to have a good hard look at themselves. The way they continue to alienate and disengage their workforce is a disgrace.” Mr Lambert said.
“With the merging of the three regions, Ben Lomond Water, Cradle Mountain Water and Southern Water under the Taswater logo, our members have told us from the very start all they want out of these negotiations is to not go backwards in wages and conditions and they would happily accept the modest CPI increase on offer.”
Since these negotiations started in early May, Taswater has been relentless in their attempt to undermine the fair wages and conditions they currently receive for supplying the Tasmanian community with essential water and sewerage services. TasWater are trying to strip workers entitlements so they can afford to bring over highly paid Executives from the mainland who credits themselves with experience in sacking workers and outsourcing of jobs.
“With Taswater not ruling out further restructures across the business if their vote was accepted, employees are understandably asking what Taswater’s hidden agenda actually is and what it will mean for their futures in regards to job security” Mr Lambert said.
“To rub salt into the wounds, the Executive team awarded back pay for themselves while at the same time refused to provide the workers with back pay despite the TasWater Board having approved the payment.”
With so many Tasmanians struggling to make ends meet, the sheer arrogance, disrespect and incompetence Taswater continue to display to their employees and the everyday Tasmanian taxpayer will no doubt leave a sour taste in the mouth of many” Mr Lambert said.
“We expect Taswater to come straight back to the table and to stop the stalling tactics, if they don’t our members say they will be given no other option but to recommence industrial action”.
Authorised T.L. Gauld – State Secretary – CEPU Tasmania
