A fourth meeting of the bargaining committee took place by teleconference on Wednesday, 21 June 2017
Report back from THAI
Following staff voting down the Proposed Agreement twice, THAI came back to the table to hear about the outstanding issues. At a teleconference, the parties discussed the classification structure, the proposed review of job values and labour hire. We also discussed the pay offer. THAI responded to staff concerns and confirmed the following proposals:
- Agreement term of 3 years.
- Salary increases of 2% for 2016; 2.5% for 2017 and 2.5% for 2018 that will back-dated following registration of the Agreement.
- Clause 28 to include a classification review to ensure that it aligns to the Airline Operations – Ground Staff Modern Award 2010. Clause 28 also contains an obligation to consult and any implementation of a new structure will be a matter for the next bargain.
- In respect of labour hire, THAI will only commit to a review of the business case for the existing arrangements.
Loyalty of labour hire staff
The ASU recognises the complicated issues when staff work long-term as labour hire. There are two classes of staff doing the same work but one class gets better pay and conditions to the other group, while some feel they are expected to work around the hours and skills of labour hire staff.
Many labour hire staff have been performing the same duties as THAI employees long-term.
Throughout bargaining the ASU supported your concerns about THAI reviewing labour hire costs. This will not address the ongoing ethical problem entrenched through the use of labour hire arrangements.
We believe that this is an important matter. The only way to change those circumstances will be if staff join the Union and we work on it together.
Voting on your new Agreement
On 7 July 2017, THAI will have sent you a copy of their Inter-Office Communication explaining the offer as well as a copy of the Proposed Agreement.
On or about Wednesday, 19 July 2017 employees will receive a hard copy ballot paper and a return envelope. Employees will be asked to vote using the ballot paper.
Then, at 4.00 pm (AEST) on 19 July voting will commence. Completed ballot papers should be returned using the envelope provided. Ballots received by 4.00 pm (AEST) on 1 August 2017 will be placed in the secure ballot box and will be valid.
Voting closes at 4.00 pm (AEST) on 1 August, after which the ballot box will be opened and votes will be counted. If a majority of employees who participate vote ‘yes’, the Agreement will be submitted to the Fair Work Commission for approval.
The ASU assessment of the new proposal
- vote YES if you are happy with the increase and happy to negotiate better workingconditions for both permanent and outsourced staff when negotiations start again prior to the next expiry date.
- vote NO because you still have claims you want to pursue this round of bargaining.
Need more information?
If you’re not a member of the ASU, you can join online now at our secure form: https://www.asu.asn.au/asujoin
For more information, please contact your local organisers. (download the bulletin here) 
Thai Airways Bulletin, 11 July 2017