NT Shire Agreements Ruled Invalid

It has now been confirmed that the non-Union Work Choices agreements imposed on employees of the new Northern Territory Shire Councils (with the exception of Barkly Shire Council which sensibly did not enter such an agreement) have been ruled invalid by the Workplace Authority.

The effect of this is that the agreements are of no legal affect and that employees who had their conditions reduced as a result of going on these agreements will most likely have claims for back pay.

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

ASU Organisers Lucio Matarazzo and Alan Gardner (along with Secretary Andy Dennard and Assistant Secretary Katrine Hildyard) have already started a programme of visits to members and potential members in the Shires. (They will be in Nhulunbuy on Monday 23rd February visiting workers in East Arnhem Shire Council).

The message is simple; the best way to get decent wages and conditions that are legally enforceable for now and into the future is to negotiate a Union collective agreement in line with following principles:

• Collective bargaining in good faith with employees and their Union on all issues
• Genuine opportunity for staff to consult with their Union and be represented
• Genuine opportunity to develop, agree, present and negotiate their claims
• Protect existing pre-reform conditions of all workers Preserve existing Award conditions to ensure the safety net of wages and conditions is protected through the Award modernisation process
• Ensure employees are not employed on individual contracts
• Ensure access to an independent tribunal to conciliate and arbitrate industrial disputes including those relating to dismissal of employees
• Provide ongoing access arrangements to workplaces for ASU officials and recognise rights for ASU representatives; and
• Ensure that the reform process is not used in any way to diminish wages and conditions

To ensure this happens we need a strong and active ASU membership at the workplace level; if you need more information or know of Shire employees who are yet to join their Union the ASU contact Lucio (0417 800 135) or Alan (0408 697 143) who can arrange a workplace visit and assist in getting more employees active in their Union.

In the meantime...

DON'T PANIC!

The employers have created the mess by ignoring your Union's advice; it is now important that Shire employees work with their Union the ASU to sort things out.

For further advice and information contact Lucio 0417 800 135 or Alan 0408 697 143.