SA Power Networks News
SAPN Enterprise Agreement Negotiations
At the start of negotiations in July SAPN and the Single Bargaining Unit of unions (SBU) committed to try and reach an in principal agreement to settle the enterprise agreement by the 2nd of December. This has not happened; SAPN management representatives told the SBU that this is just bad luck.
SAPN cancelled the negotiation meeting scheduled for the 25th of November as they were not in a position to respond to the revised log of claims put to them by the SBU on the 20th. On the 28th of November SAPN advised the SBU’s our revised log of claims was rejected, but could not elaborate any further because the CEO, Rob Stobbe, was in Hong Kong. John Fleetwood told us he was scheduled to meet with Rob Stobbe on the 2nd of December and that he hoped to be able to provide a more detailed response after that meeting. We still have not received that response.
The SAPN enterprise agreement expires in 12 days’ time, the CEPU will advise our members of further developments.
Terminations
Terminations of employment by SAPN seem to be continuing at unprecedented levels. The CEPU learnt today that SAPN recently terminated an employee during their probation period without providing any reason whatsoever. Enquiries by the CEPU only resulted in a refusal by SAPN to provide a reason for termination. Whilst it is legally allowable to terminate employment during a probation period without reason, it is very disappointing that SAPN has decided to treat this employee with such disrespect and lack of common courtesy.
Tenix
The good news is that the Tenix 2013 – 2016 enterprise agreement was approved by the Fair Work Commission on the 27th of November. The agreement that was finally put to the vote was the result of a long struggle involving some industrial action and was strongly supported by CEPU members.
The bad news is that cuts to Electranet’s capital expenditure budget resulted in reduced work for Tenix necessitating a reduction in the workforce. Unfortunately seven of our fellow members were made redundant.
AGL Torrens Island Power Station
At mass meetings held yesterday union members at Torrens Island Power Station voted to exercise their right to take protected industrial action in an attempt to get to an agreement with AGL.
AGL walked away from negations after the unions applied for a protected action ballot. Despite the SBU’s efforts to get the company back to the bargaining table to work toward an agreement AGL have refused to make any effort in this regard.
Instead AGL put their enterprise agreement proposal to employees by way of a secret ballot. The results of this ballot were received yesterday and are an overwhelming rejection of AGL’s offer – 112 against and 54 for. Pleasingly, 95.95% of employees voted in the ballot which demonstrates how engaged and committed the workforce is.
The SBU is committed to achieving a fair outcome for our members and will seek to continue negotiations with AGL in the New Year.
Injured at work?
If you are injured at work in any way it is vitally important that you report it to your employer and your treating doctor. You should fill out a work cover claim form even if you are not claiming income maintenance payments.
If the sore shoulder you suffered at work doesn’t ‘just get better’ as you thought it would and ends up requiring a $20,000 operation; it is much easier to make sure you will be compensated if you made a claim at the time of injury. If in doubt make a claim.
Power Industry Sub-committee
The Power Industry Sub Committee meets at 4:30 on the first Tuesday of every month in our office at Bob Geraghty House, 312 South Rd, Richmond to discuss industrial, safety and welfare issues concerning members working in the power industry. All CEPU power industry members are welcome to attend.
The meeting dates for 2014 are the 4th February,4th March,1st April, 6th May, 3rd June, 1st July, 5th August, 2nd September, 7th October, 4th November and 2nd December.
Delegate Training
Our branch conducted an advanced delegate training course on the 3rd and 4th of December which was attended by 24 CEPU delegates from various industry sectors. If you would like to participate in Union delegate training in 2014, please contact us to register your interest.
Merry Christmas!
From everyone at the CEPU, I wish you and your family a happy Christmas and a fantastic New Year.
