Yesterday the votes were counted in our protected action ballot and we are pleased to advise that ASU members at Maurice Blackburn and Zabulon have overwhelmingly voted in favour of each of the actions proposed on the ballot.
This is a fantastic result and credit to all members and delegates who participated and a significant show of unity across the country which cannot be ignored.
No one takes this step lightly but by endorsing every action on the ballot this means that we have a whole suite of industrial action options to choose from at each of office in each state.
What’s next?
Your national negotiating team members and organisers have already met to discuss the result and in the next couple of days will be discussing with delegates and members on a state by state basis what action they want to take, where and when. This is part of an ongoing discussion that has already been taking place in anticipation of the result. To make sure you have input into these decisions contact your local ASU delegate or organiser about the plans being formulated and even better if you can help your local delegates this is certainly the time to step up and volunteer if you have not done so already.
It is important to remember that before taking action the ASU must give the company 3 days written notice of our intention to take action at a particular location to ensure that we comply with the Fair Work Act. Also, our protected industrial action must commence within 30 days of the declaration of the poll (with the potential of a renewal for a further 30 days after that) so these legislative requirements need to be taken into account as we make our plans.
Silence is deafening
In the past week the company has issued a communication about the state of negotiations which contains some inaccuracies which members who have been attending meetings or reading our bulletins will be fully aware of. Your national negotiating team is always keen to meet with the company to try and resolve the outstanding issues and we remain so. We have not had a meeting with the company since 21st June, the company’s bargaining reps sent some draft clauses to us in early July but that has been the sum total of interactions since our last meeting save for an exchange in the last 24 hours about the protected action ballot.
Your national negotiating team remain ready and able to discuss the outstanding issues at any time that the company wants too and we told the company’s bargaining rep this yesterday. Over to you Maurice Blackburn.....
Need more information?
If you have queries contact your local ASU delegate/NNT member or organisers. (download the bulletin here) 
Maurice Blackburn Bulletin - 12 August 2016