CANZ members affected by the review and subsequent restructuring that has resulted in the creation of “Intervention Services” have recently received copies of draft Individual Agreements applicable to the positions. Let me make it clear that the agreements are, at this stage, unilateral declarations by the employer and/or the employer representatives. Accordingly, they have not been endorsed by CANZ!

Following the circulation of these documents by Departmental representative Eve Mcmahon, I have been contacted by external consultant Tony Teesdale. Mr. Teesdale has indicated that the Department is keen to consult with CANZ regarding the content of the draft agreements and I have responded. The communication exchanged so far (an email from Tony Teesdale and my response) is as follows:

Hi Brian - to be precise:

1. POS will be offering an individual agreement to people who want to move to IS. Before we get to that point we hope to be able to consult with CANZ (and others) about it.

2. The "ratified document" you mentioned I suggest is the collective version which will follow in due course after people have been appointed to IS.

Please let me have your comments on this ASAP

Regards
Tony Teesdale

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Tony,

Any individual agreement that is used for initial appointment to a new position should clearly be "no less advantageous" than the existing terms and conditions of applicants.

1. This individual agreement must be on a "without prejudice" basis, pending the outcome of discussions regarding a collective for the affected people.

2. Members, once appointed on "no less advantageous" terms and conditions, must be given the opportunity to authorize CANZ in the negotiation of an applicable collective employment agreement.

3. I would advise all members, prior to signing any individual agreement to contact either myself or one of the CANZ National Officers for a reality check.

4. This information will be documented in an update to be circulated tomorrow.

5. Failure to follow this process will be viewed as an attempt to bypass the representative (but I'm sure that this won't occur!)

Hopefully, we can progress the substantive issue of a CEA very quickly.

Regards,

Brian Davies

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It is my intention to contact Mr. Teesdale tomorrow and organize a meeting as soon as is practicably possible, because CANZ – and no doubt the employer – appreciates the need to provide certainty and stability to affected staff at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, any concerns, suggestions or submissions regarding the content of either Individual Agreements or the proposed collective should be forwarded, in the first instance, to CANZ National Secretary Barry Noakes or me (beady1@xtra.co.nz).

As soon as suitable meeting arrangements have been made, I will circulate another update in an effort to keep affected members informed. In the meantime, other than acknowledging your desire to accept the position offered, take my advice and sign nothing!

Regards,

Brian Davies
National Organiser