POWER WORKERS
South Australia
The Official Newsletter of the Power Industry Sub Committee [PISC].
Work and Welfare Related Issues for all Power Workers in South Australia
th
Thursday 4 of February 2015
CEPU Electrical Energy
and Services Division
Bob Geraghty House
312 South Road,
Richmond, SA. 5033
Ph: 08 8234 2130
Fx: 08 8352 1711
http://www.cepusa.com.au
BOB DONNELLY
Branch Secretary
M: 0418 814 705
[email protected]
Happy New Year!
Hope you had an enjoyable Christmas and managed to get a break over the holiday
period.
SA Power Networks
CBD SAPN Shift Proposal
The Fair Work Commission handed down its decision on the 23rd of January on the
dispute with SAPN over the proposed imposition of a night shift roster for CBD
operations.
The decision upheld SAPN’s view that, because enterprise agreement does not
restrict SAPN from directing day work employees to change to shift work, SAPN can
do so. The Commission’s decision goes on to say that SAPN must consult with the
CEPU on the issues of concern to our members arising out of the imposition of a night
shift.
The CEPU is currently taking legal advice on appealing the decision. The decision has
obvious ramifications for all SAPN employees and is a matter that needs to be
addressed in the next enterprise agreement negotiations.
During the proceedings before the commission SAPNs expert witness Associate
Professor Thomas stated that shift work increases the likelihood of workplace injury, is
known to have adverse health effects and should not be implemented until SAPNs
draft fatigue management policy is finalised and in place.
SAPN management representatives confirmed during proceedings that the reason
SAPN intends to impose a night shift is to increase company profit and that the
significant reduction in income that our members face will support this increase in
SAPNs profits.
To read the decision of the Fair Work Commission in full, go to:
https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/decisionssigned/html/2015FWC383.htm
2015 Availability Rostering
The CEPU is meeting with SAPN on Friday the 6th of February in an attempt to resolve
concerns raised by members from Country North operations regarding out of hours
availability resourcing requirements.
In country depots with few personnel, SAPNs extra availability requirements would
mean employees who are already doing a large amount of availability would be on
duty even more frequently, to a point that our members say is an unacceptable
impingement on their work life balance.
Elizabeth Depot overtime allocation
We will also be discussing with SAPN proposed changes to the system of allocating
overtime at the Elizabeth depot.
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POWER WORKERS
South Australia
The Official Newsletter of the Power Industry Sub Committee [PISC].
Work and Welfare Related Issues for all Power Workers in South Australia
th
Thursday 4 of February 2015
WorkCover Disputes
The CEPU is again assisting a member employed by SAPN with a WorkCover
dispute.
Annual leave approval
SAPN employees from country north and country south operations have raised
concerns that reduced depot employee numbers combined with training requirements
and SAPNs increased minimum resourcing and availability requirements is making it
very difficult for employees to access their annual leave entitlements. Employees are
entitled to take 4 weeks leave per year. If you are experiencing difficulty having annual
leave approved which you have given SAPN ample notice of please contact the
CEPU.
JOHN ADLEY
Organiser
M: 0447 803 299
[email protected]
Harsh and Unreasonable Disciplinary Action by SAPN
We are currently utilising the disputes resolution procedure in your enterprise
agreement to dispute disciplinary action taken by SAPN against some of our members
who believe the action taken to have been harsh and or unreasonable.
Defibrillator deployment
We have not yet heard any details of the planned review into workplace risks and
safety benefits of AED deployment at SAPN. We have been informed previously by
SAPN’s Health and Safety Manager that this review will be conducted before the end
of March - this year.
AGL Torrens Island Power Station
As reported in the last newsletter, AGL has announced it will shut down some
generation units at the Torrens Island Power Station. This has the potential to impact
our members. The CEPU and other Unions will be discussing potential redundancies
with AGL.
Energy Australia
We are continuing negotiations with Energy Australia for an agreement that will cover
employees at the Hallett power station who are currently on individual contracts.
Pelican Point Power Station
PAUL SCUDDS
We are in discussions with GDF SUEZ Australian Energy about their enterprise
agreement covering members at Pelican Point.
Organiser
M: 0400 802 422
[email protected]
Power Industry Contractors
Enterprise agreement negotiation efforts are still underway with power industry
contractors, coordinated by Paul Scudds. Below is an update:
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POWER WORKERS
South Australia
The Official Newsletter of the Power Industry Sub Committee [PISC].
Work and Welfare Related Issues for all Power Workers in South Australia
th
Thursday 4 of February 2015
Lend Lease
In the absence of an enterprise agreement, Lend Lease agreed to apply a 4% wage
increase to employees in November, but was initially reluctant to commence
bargaining with the CEPU. A meeting of CEPU members passed a resolution
demanding Lend Lease commence meaningful negotiations or members would
consider initiating a PAB application with the FWC.
Since then Lend Lease have met with the CEPU on 3 occasions, and have provided
some responses to member’s claims. Unfortunately Lend Lease has indicated they
are seeking a “Building Code Compliant” EBA. Tony Abbotts Building Code has yet to
pass through the parliament, so Lend Lease is asking for compliance with something
that does not exist at this stage.
Negotiations are continuing with report backs to members scheduled for next week.
www.etunational.asn.au
Electel Resources
Electel had previously indicated that they wanted to remove income protection and
BIRST contributions for their labour hire employees. This was opposed by the CEPU.
Negotiations are ongoing, with a view to have separate agreements for Linesmen and
Labour Hire employees.
24 hour members
hotline
1800 223 790
Electric & Powerline Services
Electric & Powerline Services previous Agreement was not a registered Enterprise
Agreement and negotiations have focused on making their agreement compliant with
the Fair Work Act as well as satisfying CEPU members. It is expected that a ballot on
a finalised document will be held soon.
Consolidated Power Projects
The CEPU met with South Australian CPP employees early in the new year and have
served a log of claims on CPP on behalf of CEPU members. CPP are seeking a
National Agreement (excluding Victoria).
Helistar
Since winning a majority support determination CEPU members at Helistar are
finalising their Log of Claims with a view to commencing negotiations shortly.
www.mebank.com.au
Active Trees
The CEPU lodged an appeal against the Fair Work Commissions decision that Active
Tree Services are not part of the Power Industry. A hearing has been set for Tuesday
the 10th of March.
Electrix
We have been in discussions with Electrix employees and company representatives
regarding enterprise agreement negotiations. Due to the dispersed nature of their
work it is difficult for the CEPU to communicate directly with Electrix employees. If you
are, or are working with, an Electrix employee, please give us a call.
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POWER WORKERS
South Australia
The Official Newsletter of the Power Industry Sub Committee [PISC].
Work and Welfare Related Issues for all Power Workers in South Australia
th
Thursday 4 of February 2015
Member meetings
www.unionshopper.com.au
CEPU meetings have been held recently at:
SAPN Metro south, Gordon’s farewell, St Marys - 3rd December
Electrix Toolbox meeting – 5th December
Lend Lease EA meeting – 11th December
New RAN site CEPU members BBQ – 15th December
Helistar members meeting by phone conference - 19th December
CPP members meeting – 12th January
CPP EA meeting – 13th January
Lend Lease EBA meeting – 15th January
Marleston Depot CBD group – 29th January
Angle Park training centre apprentice induction – 3rd February
If you want to see your CEPU representative at your workplace, please give us a call.
More members, stronger Union
It is in the best interests of CEPU members to grow our Union, increase our influence
in the workplace and ability better to represent our member’s interests. If you are
working with an apprentice or new employee, talk to them about Union membership
and encourage them to join up. Many new employees don’t realise that the wages and
condition they enjoy were fought for by contributing Union members; and that if they
don’t also contribute our ability to maintain and improve wages and conditions is
reduced.
www.rthealthfund.com.au/
etu.html
Power Industry Sub-committee
The Power Industry Sub Committee meets at 4:30 on the first Tuesday of every month
in our offices at Bob Geraghty House, 312 South Rd, Richmond to discuss industrial,
safety and welfare issues concerning members working in the power industry.
All CEPU members are welcome to attend
Remaining dates for 2015 are: 3rd March, 7th April, 5th May, 2nd June, 7th July, 4th
August, 1st September, 6th October, 3rd November and 1st December.
CEPU Delegates and Contacts
Please ensure this newsletter is distributed and displayed on the Union notice board
at your depot or workplace. If you don’t have a dedicated notice board space, let us
know.
www.cepusa.com.au
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