The Wilderness Society (TWS) staff would be aware that management have met with the ASU and employee bargaining reps to discuss the bargaining process for a Multi-Enterprise Agreement (MEA). As required by the Fair Work Act management have notified staff about bargaining rights.
A preliminary logistics meeting between the bargaining parties was held on 10 December. It was agreed negotiations will formally commence on 19 February 2013 and meetings have been scheduled for every 3 weeks thereafter in the first half of next year. The aim is to reach agreement by July 2014.
It is proposed that a draft ASU log of claims will be developed from the responses to a confidential ASU Survey (which can be downloaded with the full bulletin at the link below) and canvassed with members building on the Employee Log of Claims of 2012.
The MEA will be a legally enforceable document which provides staff with wages and conditions specific to Wilderness Society (TWS) entities nationally.
The ASU considers that the most applicable underpinning industry award for community based advocacy groups, such as environmental groups like the Wilderness Society (TWS), is: The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 ("modern SACS award"). Whether other awards apply eg Clerks Private Sector Award; will be subject to further consideration.
The ASU Equal Pay decision and order also need to be taken into account to ensure pay and conditions stay above the award minimum standards; now and into the future.
To ensure that you get the most out of the ASU consultation you should look at the Modern SACS award here and think about what you would like to see improved.
The ASU is the union for community based environmental organisations. With every member we become stronger and make your voice louder. So to join today go to ASUjoin.
Need more information?
If you wish to discuss the Union survey and bargaining further please arrange a meeting at your workplace with the following ASU representatives (download the full bulletin below for details).
The Wilderness Society Bulletin - 18 December 2013