A lot has been happening over the past couple of weeks, and we know that there are a number of moving parts in any industrial campaign. We also know that there are a lot of questions about how last week went and what happens next. This bulletin is going to address as much as possible in one go which also means that it will be a long one, so bear with us!
As members know, last week’s 24-hour strike was the first stoppage in our industrial campaign. It was, by all accounts, a huge success. Not only was the turnout great, but we also received a lot of attention from the media – both locally and nationally. We know that media attention is the last thing that Serco wants, and that it is also the thing that will hurt them the most. A big shoutout is owed to everyone who didn’t turn up to work, and especially to those who turned up to the rally on the day.
Notwithstanding the fact that last week’s stoppage was amazing, it goes without saying that one strike isn’t going to force Serco to offer $30+ an hour. As much as that would be great, we’re dealing with a multinational corporation with a reputation for putting profit before the people who generate those profits for them. This is why we need to strike while the iron is hot. As mentioned in yesterday’s bulletin, the union has notified Serco of another stoppage to commence at 6am on Monday 10 October 2022 and continue through until 6pm on Monday 10 October 2022. For anybody rostered from 6am onwards on Monday, this simply means you do not have to turn up for work.
In short, the answer is no. If you’re rostered on Monday from 6am onwards, then you simply do not need to turn up to work. The union will be in the area on Monday and will be meeting up with members who want to meet up for lunch, but you can also just enjoy the day off and spend it with your family and friends. However, we will text everyone prior to Monday in the event that you would like to catch up on the day and have a say in planning the next steps in our campaign.
Yes – the union received a call from Serco yesterday morning indicating that they would like to meet to recommence negotiations with the union. Subsequently, the union wrote to Serco stating that we would be willing to meet with them this week. We also made clear in our correspondence to Serco what members were asking for. You can read a copy of the letter that we sent to Serco here.
Once Serco confirms that they are willing to continue bargaining, we will let members know. As always, both union officials and union delegates will attend this meeting, and nothing will be agreed to at the bargaining table. If Serco tables anything new, then we will meet with union members first. At the end of the day, this is your Enterprise Agreement, and it is ultimately up to you as to whether any offer that Serco tables is good enough. The union is simply your bargaining representative and conduit for information that is given to us by Serco during negotiations; we are not decision-makers and will not agree to anything unless the majority of members consent first.
The union will be in contact with members over the course of the next few days about the industrial action on Monday and will update members should Serco agree to meet with the union. In the meantime, if you have any questions please send an email to , , , or .
