Workers frustrated as Serco drags its heels in EBA negotiations
Wednesday 27 Aug 2014The WA Prison Officers’ Union said staff at Acacia prison were becoming increasingly frustrated with their employer Serco for failing to reach a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.
Staff at Acacia overwhelmingly rejected Serco’s EBA offer, which was put to them by the company in a secret ballot two weeks ago.
“Instead of continuing negotiations with the WAPOU and the CPSU/CSA, Serco decided to try to cut us out of the process by taking the ballot direct to members,” said WA Prison Officers’ Union Secretary John Welch.
“However, members sent a strong message to the company when they returned an 83% ‘No’ vote.
“We think the company should just accept that result in good faith and come back to the negotiating table.
“We have repeatedly requested the company urgently set a date for a meeting, only to be told to wait weeks before they can fit us in.”
Mr Welch said the dispute was not about money, but conditions.
“Our members have legitimate concerns about the low staffing levels at Acacia and believe that this is a threat to their safety,” he said.
“They would like the unions to be consulted on staffing levels, but the company has refused point blank.
“The EBA at the Serco-run Wandoo prison allows for the unions to be consulted over staffing, and we don’t see why Acacia should be any different.”
Mr Welch said members were also concerned the new EBA attempted to undermine the unions’ rights to represent them in the workplace.
“Serco has attempted to change the consultative process in ways that will make it harder for members’ rights to be upheld,” he said.
“The company also wants to change the dispute resolution process to exclude items that are not listed in the EBA.
“This means that any unforeseen issues which crop up will not be able to be disputed by the unions. Since we don’t have a crystal ball, that seems unfair.”
Mr Welch said the company had offered staff a wage rise of 4.5% a year over 3 years, which he said members would be happy to accept as long as it is applied to all employees equally.
However, Mr Welch said members were frustrated by Serco’s refusal to backdate the offer to the 30th of June, when the current EBA expired.
Mr Welch said the union would not rule out seeking permission to take protected industrial action over the matter.