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Autumn 2004

Members working with brain injured campaign for NEW ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT

HACSU members working at NEENA, an Anglicare facility providing services to brain injured clients, are still trying to finalise an enterprise agreement after a long and frustrating series of negotiations with management.

Negotiations are continuing following the implementation of industrial action.

Significantly, the negotiation process has soured the views of members towards management.

Members believe management has not negotiated in good faith, and at a number of points in the negotiating process, the goalposts have been moved.

Members are also annoyed at management tactics seeking to try to divide and rule the workforce, through the attempted introduction of individual workplace agreements.

Members are seeking;

• a guarantee there will be no AWAs (individual contracts),
• guarantees on employees actual hours of employment, a crucial clause,
• position descriptions for level 3 and 4 - which reflect DSPA classifications,
• level 3 and 4 structures to be implemented, with members having the right of appeal if they disagree with their classification.

Speaking to members about the dispute, the clear message from members was that they thought they had not been given any respect by management.

"They have treated us with contempt," was the most frequent sentiment expressed.

"Every time we think we are getting close to agreement they move the goalposts, thinking the workers will crumble and give in to their demands."

"We had discussions with management and thought we had things resolved, then they went and stood people down."

As one member said "Ninety nine percent of Anglicare workers in other facilities get paid at level 4.

NEENA workers, despite the fact we do even more advanced work, were not getting paid that."

"The dispute is largely about being looked at with some sort of respect. Getting paid for what we actually do."

Members also thanked the many HACSU members in other Anglicare facilities, who were asked by management to come in and do the work when NEENA members were taking industrial action.

"The overwhelming majority of people from other Anglicare facilities refused to come in and do our work, instead they chose to support us. We are very grateful to them for the support they gave us," members said.

One member said he had been given a personal apology from a Minister of the Anglican Church, who said management had simply "...gotten greedy and lost their principles".

As the member pointed out, the Anglicare mission statement says "It's the people who count", but we are just a number.