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EBA 8 BULLETIN NO 8 - 7 JUN 2013

The CEPU/CWU has not endorsed the proposal currently being circulated by Australia Post

Jun 7, 2013

EBA negotiations between Australia Post and the National office of your Union continued last weekend and early this week and we were able to secure further improvements.

However, Post's current offer still leaves some major issues that need to be addressed. Unfortunately Post has walked away from negotiations and is putting a modified proposal to members directly - as a non-union agreement.

The CEPU/CWU has not endorsed the proposal currently being circulated by Australia Post.

We have written to Australia Post seeking a return to the negotiating table. Our letter said in part:

I urge you in the spirit of good faith bargaining to return to the negotiating table and address what has been consistently put to you - our members are seeking a substantial first year pay increase. They have suffered a decrease in real wages over the past 2 years with a 1.5% pay rise each year - well behind inflation - while Post profits grew each year. Another 1.5% pay rise this year is not fair. In any case, although Post tries to sell it as a part of a new pay offer, it is in fact part of the last EBA and therefore is not a new pay increase at all.

The major issues we have outlined in our letter that need addressing are:

Decent pay increase particularly this year

A guarantee that there will be no changes to the APSS Defined Benefit Fund

Undertakings in regard to job security

We have concerns also around the productivity clause (45). This could potentially prevent your union from ensuring any workplace change is conducted in a fair and reasonable manner that takes into account the needs and wants of members. This is very important in an environment where Post is moving to a parcels dominated network.

Most importantly, we have no guarantee that Australia Post will not take action to freeze the FAS.

We are also concerned that clauses dealing with OHS, PRD and Principal Unions have been deleted. OHS is important to the CEPU/CWU and we cannot accept a position where OHS is a matter for the boss only. These have been removed even though Post has continually stated that they don't want to make changes to the EBA document.

Some branches of CEPU/CWU had accepted the deal even before the latest improvements, while others object to the deal. The CEPU/CWU has not endorsed the deal.

If staff reject the deal, Post must still pay the 1.5% pay increase in December 2013.

Your feedback and numerous emails have been invaluable in guiding us during the negotiations. We are still to respond to every member who has sent comments.

Please continue to let us know your thoughts on the offer over the long weekend.

EBA 8 BULLETIN NO 7 - 23 MAY 2013

POST PROPOSAL UNACCEPTABLE TO MEMBERS

As readers will be aware, Australia Post has put their EBA8 offer to your Union. The Post offer was released last Friday.

All States have engaged in feedback sessions with members and the overwhelming response is that the offer in its current form is unacceptable. We have informed Post that the proposal is unacceptable and that we would not recommend the offer to members.

YOUR UNION'S CLAIM

Your Union has placed a counter claim on the table for Australia Post's consideration. This claim has three main parts:

1. Pay Rises

Pay rises of 6% this year. This would include the 1.5% due in December from the last EBA. 4.5% to be paid on 1 August 2013 with the remaining 1.5% to be paid in December this year.

A further 4% in 2014.

A further 4% in 2015.

2. Superannuation

A caucus of both the National Office and all State Branches agreed that your Union would not support any changes to superannuation arrangements whatsoever.

3. Changes to EBA Clauses

We are still seeking reasonable, but not wholesale, changes to clauses in the current EBA.

We have reviewed and prioritised our claims after receiving Australia Post's response and will continue to work through the remaining issues.

Australia Post has just presented their log of claims on EBA clauses and we are collectively working through them.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

Australia Post is considering their position. We are keen to continue to bargain in good faith. Your Union will continue to be guided by the views of the membership and we will be seeking further feedback as issues progress.

Please forward any questions or thoughts through to your State Branch and/or ebainfo@cwu.org.au.

We also encourage members to forward their thoughts to Australia Post at http://auspost.com.au/about-us/enterprise-agreement.html or on 1800 106 245.

EBA 8 BULLETIN NO 6 - 20 MAY 2013

AUSTRALIA POST OFFER WELL SHORT OF A FAIR AGREEMENT FOR OUR HARD WORKING MEMBERS

Australia Post has submitted a new EBA8 offer to your Union. Your Union has informed Post that there is no in-principle agreement on this offer. A few branches are happy with the offer and others are not. No decision has been taken by the CEPU as discussions are set to continue. Our concerns include:

It does not include a sign on bonus to make up for your wages falling behind inflation over the last three years. The wages of an entry level postal delivery officer are now $996 a year less than they would be if they had kept up with inflation and $1,989 less than the average wage growth in Australia.

There will not be a new pay rise until December 2014. The offer does include up to 1.5% in December this year but this is not new - it was promised under the existing EBA. This means another pay cut in real terms over the next eighteen months.

It will only pay wage increases if Australia Post makes a profit. This means if Post does not make a profit you won't get a pay rise.

None of the pay rises in Post's offer would count as pay for superannuation purposes. Your Union is reluctant to accept a pay rise effectively paid for from a cut in your superannuation benefits.

It rolls over the existing agreement without any change of wording whatsoever. Rolling over the existing agreement without any changes ignores the problems with many of the current clauses. It also ignores your claims.

Australia post is linking increases in allowances to pay rises. Allowances will only increase if Post makes a profit. Many of the allowances paid to our members have not increased for more than a decade.

SUMMARY OF AUSTRALIA POST'S OFFER

The Australia Post offer includes:

Rolling over the existing agreement without any changes to its wording (except pay).

Pay rises of:
Dec 2013 - 1.5% if performance/targets met.
Dec 2014 - 3.0% if profit made/ targets met.
Dec 2015 - 3.0% if profit made/ targets met.
Dec 2016 - 3.0% if profit made/targets met.

A freeze on the Final Average Salary (FAS) of APSS Defined Benefit Plan members for the life of the new EBA to allow Post to pay for the possible pay increases.

Increases in allowances that will only be paid if Post makes a profit

Reward sharing if Post's after tax profits continue to grow after 2012/13. The profit share would be paid into members' superannuation accounts and would be equal to the freeze on the FAS for Defined Benefit Plan members.

In addition, the offer also includes a pay rise of up to 1.5% in December this year. This is not new.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

Your Union will continue to negotiate with Post for a better outcome that:

Includes a sign on bonus.

Includes decent cost of living increases.

Is not conditional.

Does not freeze FAS.

It is important that all members have their say on this offer so please give us your feedback at ebainfo@cwu.org.au or via our phone app.