NBN: Classifications review & rest periods after overtime
Your Union is commencing formal consultation and negotiations with NBN Co on two critical matters arising from the recently finalised NBN Enterprise Agreement.
These matters were central to the CWU’s core bargaining position and reflect long-standing concerns raised by members across the country. Recognising their importance, National Secretary Shane Murphy secured firm commitments from NBN Co to revisit both the classification review and rest period provisions—without delaying the broader Agreement, including the critical wage increases our members both deserve and rely upon.
Classification Review
As part of the commitments secured during the most recent round of negotiations, NBN Co committed to a review of the classification bands outlined within the Agreement. This review is to include a focus on career progression, ensuring that CWU members have access to clear, fair and achievable pathways for advancement. The CWU will be advocating for a structure that recognises the evolving nature of roles, the increasing complexity of work, and the need for transparent criteria that support professional development. This is a key opportunity to address concerns around stagnation, role clarity and recognition of skills and experience.
We will be consulting with members to ensure it is your well-informed views that shape our negotiating position and, therefore, the outcomes of this review. If you’ve experienced barriers to progression or inconsistencies in classification, we want to hear from you.
Rest periods after overtime
Under the existing provisions in the EBA, employees who work less than three hours of non-continuous overtime are excluded from the entitlement to a 10-hour rest break before resuming ordinary duties. We have made it clear that this exclusion is unreasonable and inconsistent with what are sound health and safety principles. The risk of fatigue and its impact on wellbeing and safety does not depend solely on the number of hours worked. Whether an employee works three or four hours of overtime, the physical and mental strain can be significant without a proper rest period before recommencing ordinary duty.
In these discussions, we are seeking an amendment to ensure that the minimum rest period is extended to all members engaging in all overtime, regardless of the duration. We feel this change is essential to protect our members from fatigue-related risks and are looking forward to working towards a practical, fair, consistent and safety-focused resolution to this strongly felt matter.
We will keep members informed as discussions on both these important matters progress. In the meantime, members who are interested in being part of the consultation process are encouraged to reach out to their State Branch Official to directly, to get involved.
Your feedback and participation will be vital to ensuring these reviews deliver meaningful improvements for all members at NBN Co. Together, we can ensure that the outcomes reflect the realities of your work and uphold the standards of fairness, safety and respect that our members deserve.
