TAFE & Adult Provision Building our strength
Bargaining for the disability MEA is ongoing, with regular meetings assisted by the Fair Work Commission (FWC). We have now had three conferences at the Commission, with the funder joining discussions in February.
As a federal election is approaching and governments will soon enter caretaker mode, we plan to use this time to draft the agreement – incorporating any new National Employment Standards and Award changes – and to continue negotiating low-cost or no-cost items. Once the election is over, we will return to the FWC to discuss cost-related items with the funder.
Zombie agreements update
We attended the Fair Work Commission on 12 March to seek a further extension of the zombie agreements while awaiting the outcome of a full bench hearing on a Supported Bargaining Authorisation. We have achieved an extension until 6 June.
Most disability services covered by zombie agreements do not want a supported bargaining authorisation, preferring to move employees to the SCHADS Award. This would mean members at these services could lose hard-won conditions above the minimum entitlements in the award.
We will continue pushing for better conditions for disability workers. Now is the time to build strength – talk to non-members in your workplace about joining the union.
