Region 7 Bargaining Update
At the last meeting we had on the 24th June, we discussed more of the issues that we saw with the draft Agreement proposed by Busways.
An example of this the current Busways proposal for sick leave. Keep in mind this is not something that has been agreed to but is being used as an example.
It has been proposed by the company that the 3 groups of Sick Leave accrual (8,10 and 15 days) are folded into a 10-day standard. Again, this is an example, and nothing has been agreed to. The issue is there are no figures available yet for how much savings this delivers the company, and we need to know that so we can look at possibly putting that savings towards maintaining entitlements and conditions members have marked as priorities.
This is why bulletins have been sparse at the moment- nothing has landed close to where it will be eventually and we’re still discussing everything very broadly. Even using that example will have some people thinking Sick Leave has disappeared, but it hasn’t.
When we get into specifics and can give members information we are confident is close to the outcome we think members are after, we will. Until then it’s all negotiation.
The union is also drafting replacement clauses for some of those in the draft that the union considers too heavy handed, such as the Absence Management Procedure.
The next meeting is scheduled for the 15th July.