NBN Co bargaining update

Bargaining for a new NBN Enterprise Agreement continued Thursday, 7th November. During the negotiations, the CWU presented the following claims:

1. Travelling and Working Away from Usual Workplace
   The Union proposed that all travel outside of ordinary working hours be paid at the appropriate overtime rate. Under the current EBA, this travel is only compensated at a single-time rate. NBN responded by stating that they are already paying travel that occurs outside of normal working hours at the overtime rate. The Union seeks to have this explicitly reflected in the EBA and is awaiting a formal response from NBN.
    
2. Day Workers vs Shift Workers
   The Union is seeking clearer protections in the EBA to prevent day workers from being forced into shift work without their consent. NBN has yet to provide a formal response to this claim.
    
3. Non-Continuous Overtime
   The Union has proposed an increase to the minimum engagement period for non-continuous overtime by one hour, as well as a provision to ensure that all employees receive either a 10-hour break or overtime payments until they receive the 10-hour break after working non-continuous overtime.
    
4. Shift Penalty Payments & Agreement for Night/Afternoon Shifts
   The Union is pushing for an increase in shift penalty payments and for night/afternoon shifts to only be performed by mutual agreement. NBN maintains that the current arrangements are in line with industry standards and fit for purpose. Negotiations on this issue will continue.
    
5. Annual Leave & Personal/Carer’s Leave
   The Union has proposed an additional week of annual leave for all employees (five weeks for day workers and six weeks for shift workers), as well as 18 days of personal/carer’s leave in line with the Australian Public Service. NBN has rejected this claim, though negotiations are ongoing.

Additionally, the Union and bargaining representatives are still awaiting NBN’s formal response to the claims raised at the bargaining meeting held on 31st October. A reply is expected at the next bargaining session.

Negotiations are ongoing, and the Union will continue to update members as we progress through and advocate for fairer conditions for all NBN workers.

In the meantime, should you require any further information, please contact Assistant Secretaries Cameron Bird, Peter Chaloner or Nick Townsend, or Branch Officials Cade Anderson, Lisa Bahls, Peter O’Connell or Brett O’Neill on (02) 9893 7822 when calling from NSW or the ACT, (07) 3255 0440 from QLD or (08) 8443 7389 from SA or the NT.