Enterprise Agreement
An enterprise agreement is an agreement made between an employer and its staff that sets out the terms and conditions of employment.
The Flinders University Enterprise Agreement 2019-2022 took effect on Friday 20 September 2019 and has a nominal expiry date of 30 June 2022.
Enterprise Bargaining 2022
What is Enterprise Bargaining?
Enterprise Bargaining is the process by which an employer, its staff and the unions representing them, negotiate conditions of employment for a proposed agreement.
Once bargaining is complete and a draft enterprise agreement has been drawn up, it must be submitted to a vote by the staff who will be covered by the agreement.
To come into operation, an agreement must be supported by a majority of staff who vote ‘yes’ to approve the agreement. It must be also approved by the Fair Work Commission.
The current Flinders University Enterprise Agreement 2019 (the EA) nominally expires 30 June 2022. In accordance with clause 4.2 of the EA, negotiations for a new Agreement are to commence early May 2022. The current agreement will continue to operate until it is replaced by a new agreement.
Please email any questions or comments regarding this process to eb@flinders.edu.au for response by the Workplace Relations Team.
The Bargaining Process
What is the Process and Timeline?
- The Flinders University Enterprise Agreement 2019 (the EA) nominally expires 30 June 2022. The current agreement will continue to operate until it is replaced
- Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR) was issued to all staff 28 March 2022
- Negotiations will commence early May 2022
- A dedicated EB email address eb@flinders.edu.au has been established as the primary channel for EB communications
- Details of major milestones will be provided to all staff, as they become available
Who will represent the staff in the negotiations with the University?
- All staff were notified by the University of the right to representation in bargaining, via email, on 28 March 2022. Where staff are a member of a union, their union will automatically be their bargaining representative for the negotiation process unless an alternative bargaining representative is nominated
- The opportunity for all staff to nominate an alternative representative was advised, via email, on 12 April 2022
What is good faith bargaining?
The University is committed to bargaining in good faith and to working cooperatively with our staff and your bargaining representatives to achieve the best outcome. Everyone involved in the bargaining process is required by the Fair Work Act to bargain in good faith, which means the University, unions and staff and their representatives must:
- attend, and participate in, meetings at reasonable times
- disclose relevant information (other than confidential or commercially sensitive information) in a timely manner
- respond to proposals made in a timely manner
- give genuine consideration to the proposals and give reasons for any responses to those proposals
- refrain from capricious or unfair conduct way that undermines freedom of association or collective bargaining
- recognise and bargain with the other bargaining representatives for the agreement
When will staff be able to vote for a new Agreement?
- At least seven days before voting for an agreement, staff will be given a copy of proposed agreement and additional information and materials to assist with the voting process.
- All staff who are covered by the current agreement and who will be covered by the new agreement are able to vote but are not obliged. The University encourages all staff to have their say throughout the process and to vote to ensure your voice is heard.
Keeping up to date
- The University will continue to communicate directly with staff and provide regular updates by email and via this EB website, throughout the bargaining process.
- You can email any comments and / or questions to eb@flinders.edu.au.
Bargaining Representatives
As required by section 173 of the Fair Work Act 2009, staff members were issued with a Notice of Employee Representational Rights (NERR). This allows staff to exercise their right to nominate a bargaining representative. Where staff are a member of a union, they will be automatically represented by their union unless they appoint another person in writing.
The NERR was issued to all staff via email on 28 March 2022.
University Negotiating Team
- Ms Melisa Kaharevic, Associate Director Workplace Relations
- Professor Romy Lawson, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Students)
- Dr Michelle Gander, Director of College Services/Dean People & Resources
- Ms Carolyn Jennings, Principal Consultant Workplace Relations
Representatives
NTEU
- Dr Andrew Miller, SA Division Secretary
- Professor Catherine Abbott/Dr Bev Rogers, Academic Representative/s
- Ms Rianna Lopez, Professional Staff Representative
- Ms Annie Buchecker, NTEU Industrial Officer
- Dr Peter Beaglehole, Academic Representative
CPSU (Community and Public Sector Union)
- Tom Maegraith, Industrial Officer
Update - 24 August 2022
The bargaining process is well underway, with the first eight bargaining meetings having now taken place. Meetings continue to be attended by representatives from the University, NTEU and CPSU.
Meetings have now moved from fortnightly to weekly, to focus and advance discussions. These discussions are progressing constructively on several key issues of priority for both the University and the Unions. To date, we have held constructive without prejudice discussions on the following matters:
- Workload
- Organizational Change
- Affirmative action for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff \
- Superannuation
- Professional Development
- Gender Affirmation Leave
- Academic Freedom
- Industrial Arrangements
- Employment Arrangements
- Professional Staff Classification Descriptors
- Disciplinary Provisions
We will provide a further update on the above items once negotiations are more advanced.
Please email any questions or comments regarding this process to eb@flinders.edu.au for response by the Workplace Relations Team.
University Negotiating Team
University Negotiating Team
Update - 20 June 2022
We would like to provide staff with an update on the University’s enterprise bargaining negotiations.
The bargaining process is now underway, with the first four bargaining meetings having taken place. Meetings are attended by representatives from the University, NTEU and CPSU.
Regular meetings are scheduled to occur on a fortnightly basis. Updates will be provided as bargaining progresses.
Please email any questions or comments regarding this process to eb@flinders.edu.au for response by the Workplace Relations Team.
University Negotiating Team
Update - 25 May 2022
We would like to provide staff with an update on the University’s enterprise bargaining negotiations.
The first two bargaining meetings have now taken place (9 and 23 May 2022) attended by representatives from the University, NTEU and CPSU. A set of enterprise bargaining protocols have been agreed to by all parties, as the basis for a constructive and positive bargaining process.
Further regular meetings are scheduled to occur on a fortnightly basis. Updates will be provided as bargaining progresses.
Please email any questions or comments regarding this process to eb@flinders.edu.au for response by the Workplace Relations Team.
University Negotiating Team
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
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