Bargaining for a new Enterprise Agreement (EA) has commenced

Enterprise Bargaining – update for August 2017

What is happening?

The ACU Staff Enterprise Agreement 2013-2017 has a nominal expiry date of 30 June 2017.

The University has issued the ‘Notice of Employee Representational Rights’ (NERR) on Friday 11 August 2017 which provides formal notice to all staff that the University has commenced bargaining for a new Enterprise Agreement (EA).

While the ACU Staff Enterprise Agreement 2013-2017 has reached its nominal expiry date it will continue in operation until it is replaced by the new certified agreement or is terminated in accordance with the Fair Work Act. All staff proposed to be covered by the EA* should read the NERR.

As the name implies, the NERR provides important information about Enterprise Bargaining including your rights to be represented and the options available to you.

What is Enterprise Bargaining?

Enterprise Bargaining is the process of negotiation that takes place between ACU and staff appointed representatives to set (usually for a period of up to 4 years) salaries and employment conditions of staff. *It is proposed that the new agreement will cover the following staff: Academic Staff at Levels A to E and; Teachers and Tutor/instructors currently employed under the Educational Services (Post-Secondary Education) Award 2010 and, Professional Staff at Higher Education Worker Levels 1 to 10.

What is the process from here?

Briefly, once the bargaining representatives are appointed, bargaining meetings will occur between ACU and staff representatives, normally the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU).

Stay informed

During the negotiation period you can expect to receive communication through a regular Enterprise Bargaining Newsletter that will advise you on progress and at the time, considering and approving the proposed agreement.

The University has established a SharePoint site Enterprise Bargaining 2017 where staff can view relevant documents and keep up to date with the progress of enterprise bargaining.

The University has also established a dedicated email account and if you have comments or queries during the negotiating period please forward them to eb2017.hr@acu.edu.au .

At a high level, the University is seeking an Enterprise Agreement which demonstrates respect for the dignity of all staff, streamlined and effective conditions and support processes, and maintains a healthy and sustainable financial position.