Visionstream (Silcar) Telecommunications: EA update
The CWU and other bargaining representatives met with Visionstream Telecommunications (formerly Silcar Telepower) on 26 July with a view to trying to reach agreement on a new Enterprise Agreement (EA) for the company.
This was the third meeting that had been held since employees voted to reject an EA put to them in May. Since then the CWU has been working to try to reach a resolution on issues which members and other employees have identified as barriers to agreement.
We have had some movement and reached preliminary agreement around some of these:
- Inclusion of Aurizon employees on the stand by roster arrangements
- Reinstatement of the Concession Day public holiday for NSW employees.
- Increase in the amount of leave that must be preserved under the Shortage of Work clause.
We are still in discussions around the planned overtime clause and are seeking to clarify elements if the recall provisions, especially the way they operate when an employee receives a second call-out after having reached home after the first. The CWU has put the view that in this case both call-outs attract the 4 hour minimum payment.
There has been no movement on the proposed pay rise.
The next bargaining meeting is scheduled for 11 August.
