News

WaterNSW travel policy and enterprise bargaining: Thank you and have a safe and great Christmas!

TRAVEL POLICY AND ENTERPRISE BARGAINING – Dec 2020 (PDF version)

As 2020 comes to end, the CPSU NSW would like to extend our thanks to all our delegates and members for their support, strength and courage during the year.

This has been a particularly challenging year for everyone, with the year starting off with an unprecedented bushfire season, then the COVID-19 Global Pandemic that meant we had to do our work differently. Despite these difficulties WaterNSW members were still able to ensure accessible and equal access to water users and communities across NSW.

The union is stronger because of you. We wish all members a safe and happy holiday season.

Travel Policy

At the 1 December 2020 Joint Consultative Committee, WaterNSW flagged with the unions its intention to review its Travel Policy. In particular, in relation to payment of travel allowances versus reimbursement of expenses. WaterNSW advised that Travelling Field Crews have the option in the Enterprise Agreement to claim allowance or reimbursement of actuals to cover travelling expenses. For all other employees the WaterNSW Enterprise Agreement allows for management to have a policy of travel allowance or reimbursement of actual expenses incurred. WaterNSW is strongly considering moving to reimbursements for these employees. WaterNSW advised the reason behind this is mainly in response to COVID-19 as well as to address Diversity and Inclusion considerations.

The CPSU NSW has raised objections to this proposal. WaterNSW has agreed to establish a Working Party that will meet early 2021. In the meantime the CPSU NSW would like to hear from members about how any changes to the Travel Policy may affect them by filling out this survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/967C3N5

Enterprise Bargaining

WaterNSW has advised that bargaining for a new WaterNSW Enterprise Agreement (EA) will begin in February 2021, and that it plans to issue a Notice of Employee Representational Rights before the end of the year.

The CPSU NSW will be surveying members in January 2021 to assist us in developing our Log of Claims. We recommend you review the current EA, while thinking about what is you would like to see strengthened and improved. You can view the EA HERE.

Join the CPSU NSW

If you are not already a member of the CPSU NSW or know someone who is not, now is the time to join. Reasons to be a member include that the CPSU NSW:

• Has a proven track record in the NSW public sector and State Owned Corporation in improving and protecting workplace rights, including negotiating the WaterNSW Enterprise Agreement 2018 that determines your work conditions. pay rates and increases.
• We are the largest and strongest union in WaterNSW. The more members there are, the stronger we all are.
• To be part of the CPUS NSW’s enterprise bargaining process.
• Access to industrial advice and representation.

In addition, CPSU NSW members have access to a range of benefits including:

• Union Shopper that gives CPSU NSW members discounts on a wide range of products and services from cars, whitegoods and computers to travel, wine and restaurants.
• Journey insurance, that is if you have an accident to and from work you will be covered.
• Ambulance cover

A full range of services provided can be viewed at cpsunsw.org.au/member-services

What can you do?

• Talk to your workmates about the CPSU NSW
• Contact the CPSU NSW’s Member Support Centre on 1300 772 679 to organise a members meeting
• Share this Bulletin with other WaterNSW staff.
• Join the CPSU NSW at cpsunsw.org.au/join

Contact the CPSU NSW

Senior Organiser
Anne Kennelly

Organiser
Kirra Jackson

Your delegates

Tamworth
Ben Hanks

Albury
Julie Ledger

Maitland
Mark Hopper

Dubbo
Richard Wheatley

Parramatta
Scott Butler

Singleton
Andrew Harrison