Joint Unions Newsletter on Pacific National EBA

As members may be aware, the FreightCorp EBA (2001) expired on the 30th June 2002. Discussions with management regarding a new agreement have taken place.

The RTBU, AMWU, APESMA and the AWU will conduct all negotations with the company as a single bargaining unit coordinated by the Labor Council of NSW.

The union's have put the postion that the current agreement applying to the former FreightCorp employees should be roled over on the basis of a 4% wage increase, and no trade offs.

Pacific National has presented the unions with a draft EBA proposal and a document detailing a series of "workplace initiatives" they are seeking to include. In addition management are seeking an expiry date of 30 June 2003 whereas the unions position is for an expiry date of 16 February 2003, to coincide with the expiry of the NRC EBA.

A copy of the "workplace intiatives" document is attached for the information of members. It is important to note that the unions have not agreed to any of these proposals.

At a meeting with Pacific National management on Thursday 11th July, the unions put the position that the company's proposals went further than a 'rolling over' of the current agreement.

The combined unions are therefore in dispute with Pacific National on these issues.

The unions will be consulting with their workplace delegates regarding the direction in which to proceed.

If you have any enquires please contact your union.

There will be further meetings with management throughout July and possibly beyond. Members will be kept advised of the progress of these discussions throughout.

If you have any enquires please contact your union:

Phil Marchionni, Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers (APESMA, pmarchionni@apesma.asn.au (02) 9263 6500

Mark Hoban, Australian Manufacturers Workers Union (AMWU) halabiss@amwu.asn.au (02) 9897 2011

Warren Baker, Australian Workers Union (AWU) (02) 9897 3644

Bob Carcary, Electrical Trade Union of NSW (ETU) bobc@etunsw.asn.au (02) 9267 4844

Andrew Baker, Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) NSW Branch rtbu@bigpond.com.au (02) 9264 2511

Bob Plain, Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) Locomotive Division, nswloco@rtbu-nsw.asn.au (02) 9264 3400

Roger Jowett, Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) National Office, gharvey@magna.com.au (02) 9310 3966