nbn puts new agreement out to vote
nbn (formerly NBN Co) has advised the CWU that it has sent copies of its proposed nbn and CEPU Technical Employees Agreement 2015 – 2018 out to employees. It has also advised them of the time, place and method of voting on the proposed agreement.
It has done this despite the fact that the parties were still engaged in negotiations.
The vote on the agreement will open at midday Thursday 21 May and close on 5pm Tuesday 26 May (AEST). Voting will occur by way of an electronic ballot which nbn says will be conducted by Elections Australia Pty Ltd.
Members should be clear that this proposed agreement has not been agreed to by CWU negotiators and cannot be recommended to members for approval.
Although it contains no major changes to conditions, the pay offer it contains is well below that sought by your union representatives. The total 4.5% rise over three years will almost certainly end up being below inflation and so would represent an actual wage reduction over the life of the agreement.
It is obviously less than nbn employees deserve.
The CWU is disappointed that nbn has chosen to end negotiations unilaterally and put out this sub-standard offer for a vote. Members should now know, however, that the larger culprit here is the Abbott government which is hell bent on implementing a destructive and punitive industrial relations policy at the expense of its own employees.
The CWU negotiating team has advised nbn that they would not be able to endorse an agreement with such a low pay rise. It will now be up to employees as to whether the agreement is accepted or rejected.
