For the past couple of months, the USU has been involved in the negotiations for a new Enterprise Agreement.  The negotiations have been conducted primarily through Zoom, but the parties have also been in several face-to-face meetings which have been conducted in Sydney. 

The initial meetings were kick off meetings which allowed for housekeeping and Management discussing the state of play, however, for the past 6 meetings, the parties have been discussing the log of claims which for the combined unions came to 167 claims.

These meetings have been needed so that the delegates could explain the claims to management and allow management to understand and realize the importance of each claim. This has taken some considerable time, but we have now managed to get through all the claims.

The USU survey was very well received by our members and the feedback from the survey allowed the union to put together a very measured and considered log of claims.  Many of the claims centered around flexibility with a 4-day working week based on the 100/80/100 model featuring strongly. (100% work done in 80% of time for 100% of pay). 

Members also put forward many claims arising from issues around salary progression and they also indicated very strongly for wages parity with the other network providers Ausgrid and Endeavor Energy. Our members wages are considerably less in comparison to the other network providers even though they all do the same job. 

Members strongly stated that the argument that management have consistently put around regional costs being cheaper as opposed to city costs doesn’t wash anymore and that the cost-of-living pressures are being felt in the rural and regional areas just as much as the city areas. 

We are now at the next step in the process where we are waiting on an offer from management for the members to consider. The combined unions meet again with management soon, where management have indicated they will present an offer for the members to consider.

We will be communicating this offer with our members shortly after.

The USU have a good strong team of Bargaining Representatives that represent all areas of Essential Energy, and all have been a great support to their organiser.  Our representatives are a follows.

Ruth Smallwood – Port Macquarie
Leanne New – Mudgee
Judy Cutler – Port Macquarie
Daniel Welsh – Port Macquarie
Jason Bartlett – Griffith
Karen Inwood – Bathurst
Trevor Francis – Bathurst
Elizabeth Martin – Coffs Harbour
Lisa Simington – Coffs Harbour
Mark Lenton – Buronga

We are strong at the table due to our members support and feedback and our members opinions matter very much to us.  So, if you work at Essential Energy, we encourage you to ask questions, provide feedback and let us know if you hear anything that you need clarity on.