Success at last in Pacific National EA

By Greg Harvey, National Organiser

Since then the outstanding issues were resolved to the union's satisfaction, meetings held at all Depots and Terminals and members voted to endorse the agreement. The Pacific National Enterprise Agreement 2004 was certified in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on February 27, 2004.

The protected industrial action was deferred in December, and the Rail Tram & Bus Union met with Pacific National. The company was not prepared to discuss any of the issues while there was a threat of industrial action. The RTBU would not withdraw the industrial action until a satisfactory resolution of these issues.

Former FC wage increase

The company refused to pass on the second 4% wage increase to former FreightCorp Train Crew. Following a marathon meeting, Pacific National eventually agreed to pay the ex FreightCorp Drivers the second 4% increase.

Former NRC issues

In addition, the company agreed to the other outstanding issues including DOO implementation procedures and conditions, Relay Van Working implementation and conditions, and the Sick Leave accumulation bank applying to former NRC employees employed at the date of certification of the new Agreement.

Industrial action deferred

With these significant movements on Pacific National's previous position, the RTBU negotiators held an urgent telephone conference of as many of the National Delegates as possible, and proposed that they endorse these agreements and defer any action.

Approximately 30 Delegates were on the hook up, representing all grades and most regions. They unanimously accepted the proposal and agreed to defer the industrial action, but strictly only if the meeting which was convened between the parties for December 11, 2003, to tidy up any wording issues, did not result in any 'backflips' from the company.

RTBU members united

Members and their Delegates are to be congratulated for their efforts and solidarity, not only between grades, but also between former FreightCorp and former National Rail employees. This unity has put the company on notice that RTBU members will support each other in the future, should any group be picked out.

The RTBU Negotiating Team thanks and congratulates all members for the solidarity demonstrated through this long and drawn out campaign. The commitment to the RTBU and to each other was the determining factor in the final result.

Final EBA put to the vote

The proposed Pacific National EBA final draft was distributed to Depots and Terminals prior to Christmas. As required by the Workplace Relations Act, following at least fourteen days from the distribution of the document, a vote was held to determine the acceptance of the proposed EBA by a majority of employees.

To facilitate the voting process, representatives of the RTBU and of Pacific National held meetings at Depots and Terminals from the week commencing January 12, 2004. At the meetings each of the parties explained the document and answered questions, followed by a ballot.

Employees who would normally have been rostered off at the time of the meeting are entitled to payment at the single rate for attending the meetings.

Training

The RTBU intends to run a number of training courses during the life of the Agreement to help Delegates and Activists to understand, interpret and negotiate their way through what is undoubtedly the most complex Enterprise Agreement in the rail industry.

There are a number of clauses in the Agreement that are different to anything either former FreightCorp or former National Rail members have been used to. It is important that the RTBU provide the Delegates and Activists with the tools necessary to understand those clauses, and to ensure management remains within the confines of the Agreement.

There is no doubt the next 16 months or so of the life of the Agreement are going to be 'interesting' to say the least. There is no doubt certain people, whether they are managers or members, will have differing views on the meaning and intent of certain clauses within the Agreement.