POWER WORKERS
South Australia
The Official Newsletter of the Power Industry Sub Committee (PISC)
Work and Welfare Related Issues for all Power Workers in South Australia
Tuesday 2nd of July 2013
SA Power Networks News
SAPN Enterprise Agreement Negotiations
The SAPN Single Bargaining Unit of Unions (SBU) met with SAPN representatives yesterday (1st of July) to begin negotiations toward the next SAPN Enterprise Agreement (EA). The SBU log of claims (attached) was presented and discussed; bargaining protocols agreed and dates for further meeting set. SAPN were invited to put forward any claims the company wishes to pursue in negotiations, none were tabled.
The log of claims has been developed and endorsed by the SBU. It is based on directions from Union members provided at workplace visits, a large number of survey returns and direct contact with members. The SBU has had to balance the claims put forward by Union members with the practical need to limit our claims to a workable number.
The SBU’s intention is to work toward having an agreement in principal that can be put to members for a vote before your current agreement passes its nominal expiry date, which is the 31st of December this year.
CEPU employee representatives
CEPU members will be represented in Enterprise Agreement negotiations by the following employee representatives:
Metro South – Gordon Penhall (Morphett vale) and Rodney Mills (St Marys)
Metro North – Gary Stodden (Holden Hill) and Brendan Raets (Holden Hill)
Metro – Ian Murray (St Marys) and Stuart Manser (Elizabeth)
Country South – Brian Mitchell (Murray Bridge) and Nick Hough (Victor Harbor)
Country North – Lindsay Stevens (Nurioopta) and Robert Dunstan (Clare)
Marleston – Jason Harrison (Sub Const) and Jeff Crockford (CBD Ops)
Keswick – Michael Burke (NOC) and Michael Allison (NAC)
Angle Park – Rob Batson (SEC) and Shaun McDiarmid (SEC)
SAPN depot visits
John Adley and / or Bob Donnelly and Bill Mitropoulos have visited most depots across the state to hold discussions with CEPU members recently, but there a couple more to go. We will be holding depot meetings at:
•            St Marys 7:30 Thursday 4th July
•            Clare 7:00 Tuesday the 16th July
If you want the CEPU to visit your depot or workplace please give us a call
Motor vehicle allowance
Proceedings before the Industrial Relations Court of South Australia to deal with a CEPU underpayment claim relating to motor vehicle allowance have been adjourned at the request of SAPN. A directions hearing date has been set for 9:30 on the 31st of July. We will keep you advised of developments.
New CEPU members
10 new SAPN apprentice members joined our Union today; please make them feel welcome when you get to meet them out in the workplace. If you work with people who are not Union members please invite them to join us and apply to become a member.
RePower
RePower has advised the CEPU it intends to put a proposed Enterprise Agreement to employees for a vote. This proposed EA is not supported by the CEPU as it does not meet the minimum requirements sought by our members.
Tenix
The CEPU is continuing negotiations on behalf of members at Tenix for a new Enterprise Agreement.
AGL Torrens Island Power Station
Negotiations with AGL are ongoing, we are awaiting the outcome of a bargaining dispute regarding these negotiations lodged by the ASU which currently before the Fair Work Commission.
Asbestos Exposure
As you are no doubt aware, asbestos is a highly dangerous material, exposure to it can cause life threatening diseases and no one should be exposed to the dangers of asbestos in the workplace.
If you think you have been exposed to asbestos containing materials in the past you can register to record the details with the new Federal Government National Asbestos Exposure Register, which is managed by the Office of Asbestos Safety.
Registering will not prevent or cure diseases related to asbestos exposure, but it may assist if you need to make a claim against an employer at some time in the future.
Details can be found at http://deewr.gov.au/national-asbestos-exposure-register
Power Industry Sub-committee
The Power Industry Sub Committee meets at 4:30 on the first Tuesday of every month in our offices to discuss industrial, safety and welfare issues concerning members working in the power industry. All CEPU power industry members are welcome to attend. The remaining meeting dates for 2013 are the 6th August, 3rd September, 1st October, 5th November and 3rd December.
