Optus: EPA discussions due to commence
The CWU expects to commence negotiations for a new Employment Partnership Agreement (EPA) in Optus in the coming period.
The current Optus agreement doesn’t reach its nominal expiry date until 3 December, but negotiations to renew such agreements commonly start about 6 months before the expiry time.
This provides time for a smooth transition – if, of course, agreement with employees and their representatives can be reached.
At present Optus and the CWU are still engaged in finalising details of the modern Optus Award. This work will need to be completed in the coming weeks if EPA negotiations are to get underway on a secure basis.
Discussions won’t start formally until Optus notifies its employees that it wants to begin bargaining.
In the meantime, Optus members should now be contacting their relevant state branches to raise any issues they want dealt with in the next round of bargaining.
