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The employee agreement negotiations at Eptec have also been marked by unique challenges around the visa complications. The MUA has played a cru- cial role in representing and supporting the work- force. The visa-related issues have been addressed by the MUA for the affected employees holding vari- ous 400, 408 and 482 visas. The complexity of these visa categories created hurdles in initiating talks. One notable development in the negotiations is the shift from a national agreement to a state agree- ment. This transition underscores the localised na- ture of these negotiations and highlights the unique challenges faced by Eptec employees in their quest for fair compensation of wages and conditions in WA. The negotiations will play a pivotal role in deter- mining the future working conditions and pay equity for Eptec employees, making this an essential issue to watch in the coming months.
EA Updates
These safety concerns, coupled with a history of incidents, are indicative of a deepening crisis within Luerssen’s operations. The defense project to build ten vessels in West Australia is a big concern given the disregard to safety, and it is imperative to address these issues with utmost urgency. If the current trajectory continues, the risk of fatalities and further safety incidents looms large. Just remember one thing, they haven’t moved a vessel out of the shed yet, so the strike rate doesn’t look good. Safety conditions on-site fall far short of the neces- sary standards, and Luerssen’s subcontractor man- agement approach has compounded the problems. The engagement of substandard subcontractors jeopardises worker safety, and the company’s track record of safety incidents adds to the growing crisis. The looming threat of a safety incident, or worse, a fatality on this defense project, demands immediate corrective measures. The current challenges under- score the pressing need for comprehensive improve- ments in safety standards, project management, and subcontractor selection in the shipbuilding industry.
BAE
This brief report delves into the ongoing Enterprise Agreement (EA) negotiations at BAE Systems. The company’s proposal of a 4%/3%/3% pay increase reflects an approach to wages and conditions that refuses to recognise the skillset of this workforce, the work they do, the cost-of-living crisis and cur- rent skills shortage in this state. With a push by BAE Systems to strip back the workforce log of claims, the offer has left workers disheartened, as it falls well short of their expectations. The complete- ly inadequate offer from BAE has left the workforce with no option but to file for a Protected Action Ballot and shortly thereafter a move to protected action. It appears that the belt they got last agree- ment wasn’t hard enough and this will need to be a decent one to get the message through that this company must lift the current offer to its workers. EPTEC The Eptec employee agreement expired nearly six months ago, which has faced unique challenges due to visa issues. The MUA has been actively ad- vocating for the workforce around the new agree- ment and the treatment of visa workers. The MUA had been pushing for the last 6 months to get the negotiations under way. The Eptec workers have compiled a substantial log of claims, amounting to 41 key claims, reflecting their concerns over the pay and conditions when compared to other workers within the shipbuilding precinct in Henderson. A significant issue at the heart of the negotiations is the substantial pay disparity between Eptec em- ployees and their counterparts in the industry, par- ticularly in comparison to BAE Systems. Workers have been advocating for improved wage condi- tions, and the log of claims represents a compre- hensive list of their expectations.
Phil Kennedy Shipbuilding Mobile - 0497 883 631 phil.kennedy@mua.org.au.
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