Members at Essential Energy recently voted yes to approve Essential Energy’s new Enterprise Agreement.

What this new Enterprise Agreement means for them:

Members will shortly receive a 7% wage increase, which will be backdated to 1 July 2024. This backpay will cover all wages and allowances. They will also receive a $5000 Cost of Living Payment (the payment is Pro Rata depending on the years of service with Essential Energy under the 2021 Enterprise Agreement).

Members next wage increase of 4.5% will occur on 1 July 2025. Plus, their Superannuation will be further increased by 0.5% taking it to 16.5%. Year three will see a further increase of 3.5% plus 0.5% Superannuation taking superannuation to 17% at the end of the Enterprise Agreement.

Members who have reached the Top of their Salary Band will receive a $2000 payment on certification of the Enterprise Agreement plus a further two $2000 payments for years two and three of the Enterprise Agreement.
 
A new Experience based progression model will come into effect under this Enterprise Agreement which will see members who have been stuck at the bottom of their salary bands due to not having the relevant qualification be able to progress based on experience in the role rather than qualification. The first progression step will occur from certification of the agreement and members will continue to automatically progress from 1 July each year until they reach the top of their salary band.
 
Members can now claim up to $299 in reimbursements for any purchases related to Health and Wellbeing.

Members will now be able to access up to 26 weeks Parental Leave for both Primary and Secondary Care givers. Members will also receive full entitlements to Superannuation for both paid and unpaid parental leave up to 12 months.

Members can also access up to 12 weeks Kinship Carers Leave and there is also comprehensive leave for Miscarriage and Still Birth.

There are a number of other major improvements in this Enterprise Agreement and also Leave Reserve to continue discussions around further improvements for Salary Progression as well as discussions for a possible implementation for a 4-day week trial.

What did our members say about this offer

Our members were very happy with the offer and during the union report back meetings expressed much thanks to the USU for listening and actively advocating for members in these negotiations.

Much praise must go to the USU Delegates at Essential Energy all who were very active participants in these negotiations and all came to the bargaining table well prepared and spoke passionately and were able to articulate the claims to assist in helping management understand and accept what was in the best interests of our members.

This is a very good Enterprise Agreement that will go a long way in improving working conditions for our members.

This Enterprise Agreement is now sitting with the Fair Work Commission awaiting approval.