TasRail EBA 2002

Following the well attended meeting of members held in Launceston on Dec 1 and the adoption of a six point resolution the Company was notified of the Union's position. A 4 hour telephone conference between the RTBU and TasRail on Friday 6th December has resulted in the following REVISED OFFER:-

1. Wages: TasRail have increased their wage offer from 3%, 2½%and 2½% to 3% per annum for 3 years to operate from a midway point between the expiry of the current Agreement (15 November) and the date of certification of the Agreement by the Industrial Commission.
   
2. Remote Control: trial and independent risk assessment. TasRail will agree to an expert outside of TasRail to undertake the assessment and tenders will be called. TasRail don't want the remote control cement train to be covered by the eba. The grapevine reckons a $3,500 p.a increase has been offered because of the result of the mass meeting and the pressure exerted by the Union.
   
3. Maintainers: 5% increase for Maintainers because of multi-skilling . TasRail has rejected this claim. The Union has put an alternative proposition that the Industrial Commission reevaluate the wage rate of Maintainers because of the additional skills and responsibilities undertaking electrical work will involve. The Company will respond next Tuesday.
   
4. TasRail's demand that EBA employees be able to go to AWA's during the operation of the eba has been withdrawn.
   
5. TasRail have rejected a 10 minute paid rest break for workshop employees.
   
6. TasRail have withdrawn their proposal for a 3 level locomotive driver. The Union and TasRail will consult about rail operator and driver career paths and competencies during the life of the eba.

   Other Issues

7. Travelling Allowance: has been increased from $95 to 99 per day and will be adjusted by the CPI at the end of the agreement.
   
8. Disciplinary Procedures: TasRail wants the right to regress employees pay by up to 25% for 12 months in limited circumstances. TasRail has agreed to a revised proposal of up to 10% of aggregate salary for up to 3 months.
   
9. Call Outs: TasRail have agreed to a minimum of three hours at overtime rates (affects workshop and infrastructure employees, does not apply to employees on a call in roster which is included in their aggregate).
   
10. Union Education Leave: TasRail have agreed that employees who are members of the union may share in a pool of 10 days p.a across the company for union leave. Leave without pay may be taken or accrued annual leave may be used. Maximum notice of 8 weeks must be given to accommodate the roster.
    Redundancy Payments: The ACTU is running a test case to increase redundancy payments (6 years or more service, 16 week instead of 8 weeks or 20 weeks if aged over 45). TasRail has agreed to apply the standards set by the test case.

Previously Agreed Clauses:

Trauma clause for all employees involved in a fatality.
Ring up days: to accumulate over 2 years.
Overtime: payment to increase from 1.5 to 1.7 of the base rate for the first 16 hours.
Recruitment and Selection: vacant positions to be advertised internally and should a suitable candidate not be selected, then the position will be advertised externally.
Consultation: General Working Party to include a workshop representative.
Casual Employees: improved procedure for converting to permanent employment agreed to.
Workplace Delegates: TasRail agrees to new clause which recognises workplace delegates and allows them to distribute union information on the job.


CONSULTATION WITH MEMBERS

A telephone conference of delegates will be held early in the week to discuss TasRail's revised offer. Members will be consulted about the overall package. Talk about it with your workmates and let us know whether it should be endorsed or rejected. All AWA workers will get the opportunity to get EBA coverage when their AWA expires. For most workers this is Feb 2003.