University of Technology Sydney Enterprise Bargaining

Member’s update: Meeting number 4.

The CPSU met again with UTS HR Management and the NTEU on 4 July for the 4th Enterprise Agreement negotiation.

The CPSU presented and spoke to “General Conditions” section in our Log of Claims, numbers 21 through to 31. The NTEU presented draft clauses for:

1. Fixed Term Employment – the CPSU’s position is to improve the process of converting fixed term and casual professional staff to continuing employment status. We say that if the position or role continues after 12 months it is a continuing position and conversion to permanent continuing employment should take place (as long as the applicant is merit selected). Not after 3 years, which is in the present Agreement and which the NTEU have not documented for change. They did agree with CPSU proposal of 12 months (then conversion), when discussions took place during bargaining.

2. Managing Change clause – the CPSU is still insisting that if we had a Joint Consultative Committee, it would benefit all unions and bosses, as there would be a forum to discuss all workplace changes and restructures within the University. The NTEU has also proposed the benefits of having a JCC clause in the EBA, by presenting a clause for this purpose.

3. Disciplinary clauses – the CPSU has asked for the inclusion of the definition of “misconduct” and “serious misconduct”. We will revise Clause 54 to 56, which is Part F – Discipline, in the UTS Professional Staff Agreement during our next CPSU pre-bargaining team meeting. Both unions will look at wording in this section of the EBA.

The CPSU presented a new Clause (26) for Health and Safety Representatives in the workplace, democratically elected by their workgroup. We say that HSR’s should have an Allowance, under Schedule 4 in the EBA comparative to the First Aid Allowance, adjusted annually, in line with the First Aid Allowance.

The CPSU can also provide training for HSR’s.

UTS management will be bringing the manager of Work Health and Safety to the next negotiations meeting to respond to the CPSU’s HSR clause.

The next meeting with UTS will be held on the 25 July 2017. It will be EBA Negotiation meeting number 5.

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