Enterprise bargaining
The current Enterprise Agreement (EA) has a nominal expiry date of 31 May 2012. Although the EA will continue to operate after this date, the University now wishes to commence a bargaining process to develop a new agreement and proposes to start negotiations in early May 2012.
Our goal is to agree a new EA that supports the strategic direction of the University while providing outcomes that benefit current staff and attract new staff. It must also be flexible, and easy to understand and use.
This section of the website will help to keep you informed of the negotiations as they progress, and let you know how you can get involved.
About the bargaining process
Enterprise (or collective) bargaining was introduced in Australia during the 1990s as a move away from the old award system where the federal government would create minimum conditions across industries.
Enterprise bargaining allows employers and employees to work together and create their own contract or agreement to suit their workplace, and creates an opportunity for the parties of the employment relationship either directly or through their union representatives to engage in mutual negotiations.
It involves a discussion of all conditions of employment, and is designed to benefit both the employee and employer.
Bargaining representatives
Under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), staff are entitled to be represented by ‘bargaining representatives’ (see notice PDF, 19KB). Unions that are entitled to represent University staff are automatically bargaining representatives without the need for any appointment by individual staff members.
If you wish to appoint a bargaining representative, please email your notice of appointment to Human Resources. For your representative to be involved in the initial bargaining meetings, we need to receive notices of appointment by 27 April 2012.
Have your say
We are keen to hear staff views about the new EA, and invite you to submit comments and priorities through this feedback form.
If you have any questions about the enterprise bargaining process, please contact your local HR representative.