Meeting 3 - 17 June 2008

Another NOTHING Day.

All reports from the parties is that the employer has nothing concrete to offer, except a promise for a presentation (read - "death by powerpoint") after the next board meeting, the presentation is to be made on July 3 2008.

That Board meeting is scheduled for 24 June 2008, some 2 months after negotiations were to commence and they still haven't got a sign off from the Board.  Sign off of what?  The final deal? Or the initial offer?

Funny we were thinking that negotiations have commenced, they've gone no where (well what were we expecting?), but the deal is to be ticked by the Board on 24 June 2008; which deal, the initial deal or the final deal?

Rumours from other sources tell one of our members that Big Tony, The new minister, has given the green light for "substantiated productivity based" pay rises.

So the folks in WA are generating the worth of our pay rises.  Revenue up by 11%, so we should expect an 11% offer then CPI annual increases.  Will this represent a "Bloody  good pay rise?"  That will be up to you to decide, we believe an offer of that ilk will be a slap in the face.  We also believe they will not make such a generous offer.

What will be the employers 'pillars'? Perhaps a cap on sickleave, limiting the days without certificate or the absolute "business requirement" to introduce fatigue based rostering (otherwise known as removing PORS).  So trade offs required to get a "Bloody good pay rise"; which in our view will not represent value for trade, again.

Think about the last agreement and overtime change, 1.85 for AD vs 1.57 plus 2 hrs travel on ED vs 1.18 on OT; sure a leg up on OT, but most will now agree the ED value trade was a dud; and possibly as a direct result, the cheapening of overtime costs, the employer has taken more liberty with staffing than it otherwise would have.  Remember those cancelled abinitio courses in 2006?

And what of retention, will there be a defence styled retention bonus?  $25K after 3 years?  Like you, we wait to see the offer; but a little tip for ya, don't hold your breath.