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.
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
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.
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:
In addition, CPSU NSW members have access to a range of benefits including:
A full range of services provided can be viewed at cpsunsw.org.au/member-services
Senior Organiser
Anne Kennelly
