Leighton's restructure complicates bargaining
The ongoing restructuring of Leighton Holdings continues to create delays in enterprise bargaining with the groups within the company.
Following the takeover of the group in 2014 by Spanish interests, Leighton subsidiary John Holland was sold off and a decision made to bring its remaining construction operations into one division. This has seen Theiss, which had already taken over Silcar in 2013, merged with Leighton Contractor Services and Visionstream to form Ventia last year.
The new structure has not to date caused problems in negotiations with the part of the new entity covered by the current Silcar Telecommunications Agreement, largely because of the distinct nature of that section of the business (ie telecommunications power maintenance and repair).
But renegotiation of the Silcar Communications Agreement is likely to be more difficult as the new EA will involve the merging of groups of employees already doing similar work but on different conditions.
The Silcar Communications Agreement has already reached its nominal expiry date and the CWU is seeking to progress negotiations so that employees are not put at a disadvantage in relation to pay rises. Preliminary discussions have been held.
Members wanting to contribute to the negotiations should contact their state branches.
