VENTIA AGREES TO HALT RESTRUCTURE FOLLOWING UNION INTERVENTION
On 2 November 2022, Ventia announced changes to its Network Operations & Assurance / NIFM team, that would result in a reduction of 11 roles.
Impacted employees were notified on 3 November and given just one day to;
- Consider their options with little to no information;
- ‘Consult’ with the company on their individual circumstances; and
- Make some pretty serious decisions about their future with the company.
This disgraceful action by Ventia does not even get close to constituting with genuine consultation.
The Union appealed for Ventia to extend the period, with nothing but push back from the company. Clearly, their action was prearranged and their intentions to ‘consult’ is just lip service.
The Union has therefore made an application to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) for an urgent hearing. The hearing has been granted and will occur next Thursday, 10 November. As a result, Ventia have committed to not making any irreversible decisions on this matter until the FWC has heard the matter.
This should hopefully provide some comfort to impacted members who can now consider their options, outside of a pressure cooker environment.
We will be holding a meeting of all Ventia members next Tuesday, 8 November. If we have your email address on file, you would have received an invitation with instructions on how to join.
If you have not yet received an invitation, please contact your state Branch Office to arrange.
Should you have any concerns about this matter in the meantime, please contact your State Branch Office for assistance.
