CEA Negotiations – It’s time to talk Turkey!

The last year in CIE has absolutely flown by, with reviews, restructuring, downsizing, investigations and dismissals apparently following one after the other. The schedule has been so frantic that it seems as if the ink has hardly dried on the last Clayton’s settlement and we’re ready to experience the process again

Given the fact that CANZ members were, to say the least, fully cooperative with the last rollover (no pun intended) and subsequent restructurings, you would have to imagine that your employer will be duty-bound to look favourably upon any claims that are endorsed for presentation on behalf of the members this time around. By the beginning of April, we will be within the parameters of the bargaining process as defined in the Employment Relations Act (within 60 days of the expiry of the current agreement). Accordingly, it is time to begin our preparation.

Call for Expressions of Interest
We need to establish the negotiating team as quickly as possible, because it is important that we develop and complete the planning process by the end of April. Accordingly, we are calling for expressions of interest from suitably experienced CANZ members within CIE. I have been appointed as your advocate for the bargaining process and we now need to select a team of five members to form the CANZ CIE National Advisory Committee.

Two members of this committee will be selected to join me and complete the negotiating team and the remainder will be required to act as an advisory committee or “sounding board” for the duration of the process. All proposals and counter-proposals will be presented to this committee for their input and/or advice and no offer from the employer will be recommended for acceptance unless or until it has had the seal of approval from the National Advisory Committee (NAC).

It is our intention to have both the NAC and the negotiating team identified by the end of March, so it is essential that any interested parties submit their names to the CANZ National Secretary (Barry Noakes) by no later than 29 February. The membership will be advised of the makeup of both the negotiating team and National Advisory Committee by the end of the first week in March, so get those applications rolling in.

As soon as the teams have been selected, we will be calling for claims from the members in order that they can be considered, collated, endorsed by the NAC and presented to the membership for endorsement via workplace meetings. It is our intention to be organised, efficient, proactive and professional in delivering you an acceptable package. However, in order to fulfil that obligation we need your enthusiasm and support.

We will be approaching the process in a manner that is designed to meet the “good faith” requirements of the Employment Relations Act and fully expect your employer to do the same. We can assure you, however, that we will not allow any review or restructuring issues to undermine your entitlement to a fair and equitable process. As far as we are concerned, CIE members made significant sacrifices in order to assist the employer last time round, even though all other Department of Corrections employees enjoyed reasonably productive bargaining rounds. This year, it’s time to reap the rewards associated with loyalty. After all, you are all employed by the same Chief Executive officer and you are entitled to fair and equitable treatment.

Progress for A&P trades Staff
Following the formation of A&P and the associated development and ratification of their new CEA, CANZ approached senior management with a proposal concerning the use (as and when appropriate) of inmate labour in an “assistant” capacity. The proposal was based on the desire and potential for increased efficiency and flexibility and recognised the fact that it would, if successful, result in the inclusion of extra steps in the Trades Staff salary scale.

I am pleased to say that the proposal has been formally endorsed and the changes are in the process of being finalised to the satisfaction of both employer and Union. Once this proposal has been completed and endorsed by the National Executive, it will be presented to affected members for explanation and ratification.

I’m not in a position to provide more information until the documentation and endorsement process has been completed, but I can say that it will result in a considerable increase for those who can successfully demonstrate the benefits of employing an inmate to assist them in their day to day work. I will give you more information as soon as this process is complete.

Regards,

Brian Davies
National Organiser