The final USU/ASU Log of Claims is outlined below and can be downloaded here:

Your USU/ASU Bargaining Representatives endorsed the following log of claims for the Maurice Blackburn Employees’ Agreement 2019:

Pay and Super

5% annual pay increases
Increase employer superannuation contribution to 12%
Employer super contributions to be maintained during paid and UNPAID parental leave
A fair and transparent system for the allocation of bonuses
Same pay rates and conditions for all employees in comparable positions (including gender pay parity), including the inclusion of pay bands in the EBA
Preference for a 3 year agreement unless otherwise agreed

Work/Life Balance and Access to Leave

A fair system for working flex-time, time off in lieu, a regular rostered day off, and clauses relating for the right to work at home
Increased parental leave
Christmas shutdown paid leave available to ALL employees
Fairer access to annual leave and long service leave
Revised study leave provisions which promote a fairer and more transparent access to leave especially for those studying for their law degree
Alternative Australia Day leave arrangements so staff are able to elect to take the Australia Day public holiday on 26 January, or an alternative date, for those staff who recognise the issues this date causes for Indigenous Australians
Increased leave entitlements – an increase in the number of annual leave and/or health and wellbeing days

Fair conditions

Maintain or improve current EBA conditions
Provisions to assist parents to return to work after parental leave
Consistent gym membership policy for all employees
Improve access to car parking for employees
Improve lunchroom facilities, and facilities in general
A fairer and more transparent system for trainee lawyers/graduates, including guaranteed transition to 1st Year Lawyer upon admission to practice
A fairer and more uniform system for hours worked within and between offices
Redundancy

a. Increased redundancy pay benefits

b. A comprehensive, consultative and transparent redundancy process with a focus on mitigation and alternate options

Increased long service leave entitlements e.g. 13 weeks paid leave at 10 years’ service
Improved role/pay classification schedule to the agreement, including:

a. Steps to progress and finalise the classification structure review as per clause 58 of the EBA

b. Expansion of the “Minimum Salaries” tables in the EBA to include clear salary and career progression for shared services staff, legal assistants and paralegals

A requirement to hire paralegals on ongoing permanent contracts
Such other claims that may arise during bargaining

For more information contact your USU/ASU reps:

ASU Organiser	Branch	Contact
Emily Callachor	USU Branch (NSW)	0417 420 924
Daniel Bevis	QLD Together	0449 520 337
Sarah Haar	Victoria	0409 778 890
Lovisa Muyderman	SA & NT	0437 858 814
Rebecca Gillis	Western Australia	0417 969 502
Michael Rizzo	ASU National Office Melbourne	0418 513 843