Visionstream jumps the gun with EA ballot
Visionstream has effectively broken off negotiations for a new Enterprise Agreement (EA) and has put its proposed agreement out to employees for approval.
Both the Communications Division (CWU) and Electrical Divisions (ETU) of the CEPU have been involved in negotiating the agreement which covers Visionstream’s telecommunications field staff.
It is the first time such an agreement has been renewed for nearly a decade and the first agreement which has involved union negotiators for even longer.
Unfortunately, the shock of the new seems to have been too much for Visionstream and it has now reverted to type, rushing the half- negotiated EA out to employees before agreement with their representatives had been reached.
The CWU had welcomed the opportunity to reach an agreement which delivered a fair outcome for members, reflecting current industry standards. Members must now decide whether, on balance, the proposed agreement meets these objectives, bearing in mind that a number of issues remained unresolved when negotiations were abandoned.
These include payment for travelling time, portability of long service leave and availability of RDOs for all those covered by the EA.
Members should also note that under current workplace laws, Visionstream is required to give employees a copy of, or access to, the proposed EA at least seven days before they are asked to vote on it. Any members who have not received such notice should contact their state branch immediately.
