Following feedback from the combined Energy Unions, Essential Energy has revised their initial In-Principle Offer for the Essential Energy Enterprise Agreement 2018 and come back with a 2nd offer for members to consider:

  1. Roll over the current agreement conditions through a new Enterprise Agreement with exception of a revised Individual Flexibility Arrangements Clause (IFA) Clause.
  2. A minimum cap of 2% which applies to each of the proposed annual or pro rata CPI adjustments.
  3. A maximum cap of 2.5% which applies to each of the proposed annual or pro rata CPI adjustments.
  • The first CPI adjustment payable on 1st January 2018.  CPI adjustment based on the rolling 12mth CPI Rate (figures based on ABS Catalogue 6401.0) min 2% increase or maximum of 2.5%.
  • A further CPI adjustment on 1st July 2018 based on the previous 6 month CPI Rate (minimum 1% and maximum 1.25%).
  • CPI adjustments on 1st July 2019 and 1st July 2020 based on the previous 12 month rolling CPI Rates.min 2% maximum 2.5%
  • Wage increases applicable to all allowances with the exception of the (Electrical Safety Rules Allowance).

Based on feedback from our members following the previous flyer Your Agreement Initial Offer, members have reported to us that they do not wish to see any relaxed changes to the current IFA clause in fact, they would like to see the current clause strengthened particularly in relation to start and finish times.

The USU would like to continue further discussions with Essential Energy in order to seek consolidation on 3 important matters;

  1. Consultation – to consolidate a position regarding consultation post the determination
  2. Contract Labour – to consolidate a position regarding the use of contract labour in order to protect full time jobs
  3. IFA’s – to consolidate a position regarding the use of Individual Flexibility Arrangements based on Essential Energy’s position and feedback from members regarding this issue.

The USU is seeking feedback from our members so we can determine whether the current In-Principle offer is acceptable for our members to seek an early settlement of the Enterprise Agreement or that we seek further discussions with Essential Energy on the 3 important points above and any other further concerns that members have that require addressing.

Please remember that no agreements have been reached with Essential Energy and that this is a proposal that was put forward by Essential Energy to seek an early settlement of the Enterprise Agreement.