Index to Telstra EBA 2005

SCHEDULE D - WORK AT SEA ARRANGEMENTS

1D. Work at Sea

1D.1 Work at sea will mean any time where an employee is required to do work on a sea going vessel for period of 24 hours continuous duty or more. The work undertaken on board the sea going vessel is work in connection with the surveying, installation and maintenance of submarine telecommunications cable systems.

1D.2 Rates of Pay

1D.2.1 An employee will not be subject to the Relevant Award or this Agreement's clauses concerning ordinary hours / overtime/public holidays for any time worked at sea. Each day will be considered a 12-hour day, regardless of the number of hours worked in any one day. The employee will be paid as follows:

(a) Monday to Friday

An amount equivalent to 7 hours 21 minutes per day at the ordinary rate prescribed by the Agreement plus:
i. 150% for an additional three hours; and
ii. 200 % for an additional 1 hour and 39 minutes.

(b) Saturday

If an employee works on a Saturday - an additional 100%.

(c) Sunday

If an employee works on a Sunday - one of the following applies:
i. 12 hours pay at 200% and a paid day (7 hours 21 minutes) off in lieu. Any day off in lieu will be on such a day agreed between the employee and their manager; or
ii. The equivalent of 12 hour's pay at 200% and the payment of an amount equivalent to one day's ordinary pay (7 hours 21 minutes).

(d) Public Holidays

If an employee is required to work on a public holiday they may choose one of the following:
i. 12 hours pay at 250% and a paid day (7 hours and 21 minutes) off in lieu. Any day off in lieu will be on such a day agreed between the employee and their manager; or
ii. 12 hours pay at 250% and an amount equivalent to one ordinary day's pay (7 hours 21 minutes). Public holidays for the purposes of this clause will be those that apply to the employee's usual place of work.

(e) Elections

An employee may choose the payment option (in 1D.2 (c) and (d)) on the day after completing a tour of work at sea. Any time off in lieu will be taken within a period not longer that 3 months after the time of returning from the relevant tour of work at sea. In the event that the employee has not been able to take off all the time in lieu then the outstanding time in lieu will be paid to the employee.

1D.3 Hours of Work
(a) An employee will be required to work according to the requirements of the work program.
(b) There will be no set hours of work.
(c) An employee will discuss with their manager and agree on an Operations Work Plan on the type of work and the hours of work for each assignment, having regard to such factors as;
i. Contractual requirements
ii. Quality service and professional work practices
iii. The requirements of the works program
iv. Occupational Health and Safety
(d) An employee will not be required to work excessive amounts of time such that it jeopardises their health and safety.

1D.4 Work At Sea Disability Allowance

To compensate for all disabilities associated with living and working on a sea going vessel, an employee will receive an allowance of $84 per day for each day at sea. It is acknowledged that conditions at sea vary from vessel to vessel and also due to different employment arrangements that arise from time to time. This allowance is not payable for time worked when the vessel is berthed. However, when the vessel is berthed, then the travelling allowance provisions of the Relevant Award will apply. This allowance will not be used for any other purpose under this Agreement or other Relevant Award or Agreement provision, and will not attract any penalty or premium.

1D.5 All Other Award Conditions

The payments prescribed in this Agreement that are in excess of the ordinary rates of pay and will not be used for the calculation of any other Award or Agreement entitlements.

1D.6 Length & Frequency of Tours

1D.6.1 A tour length will be limited to 6 weeks, unless mutually agreed in writing between an employee and their manager.

1D.6.2 An employee will not be sent to sea after a completed tour, within a period of time equivalent to half the completed tour unless mutually agreed in writing with their manager.

1D.6.3 Notwithstanding the above, an employee will not be expected to spend more than 85 days at sea in any 12 month period unless mutually agreed in writing with their manager.

1D.7 Standard Of Vessel

In tendering for work, Telstra will only use vessels that have been affirmed by the provider as both sea-worthy and suitable for the type of work to be performed, and will further stipulate minimum requirements for the accommodation and victualling for Telstra employees.

SIGNATORIES

Signed on behalf of Telstra Corporation Limited (ACN 051775 556) by an authorised representative:
Stephen Webb Senior HR Specialist, Workplace Relations
Signature Date

Signed on behalf of the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia by an authorised representative:
Colin Cooper Communications Division, Divisional President
Signature Date

Signed on behalf of The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia by an authorised representative:
Geoff Fary Executive Director, Industrial Relations
Signature Date

Signed on behalf of Professional Officers' Association (Victoria) by an authorised representative:
Geoff Fary Executive Officer
Signature Date

Signed on behalf of CPSU, the Community and Public Sector Union by an authorised representative:
Mark Gepp National President, Community and Public Sector Union
Signature Date