SAPL EA Update - In-principle Agreement
Thank you to everyone who voted in the recent protected industrial action ballot. Both the AFAP and the TWU achieved strong ballot results in support of the various actions.
As we have previously advised, whenever an application for a protected industrial action ballot is granted by the Fair Work Commission (FWC), it also convenes a compulsory conference of all bargaining representatives. On this occasion we agreed to a series of three conferences in Melbourne before Commissioner Wilson. The last of these conferences before Commissioner Wilson was held yesterday (14 May 2024).
We are very happy to advise that at yesterday’s conference we achieved in-principle agreement with the company for a new enterprise agreement. This agreement reached in the FWC was also confirmed in writing between the parties overnight – just to avoid any possible misunderstandings.
A summary of the financial details of the in-principle agreement are provided below:
Salary increases:
July 1 2024: 5% increase on salaries and allowances
July 1 2025: 6% increase on salaries and allowances
July 1 2026: 6% increase on salaries and allowances
July 1 2027: 3% increase or CPI (whichever is greater)
Sign on Payment:
As soon as reasonably applicable within the pay period following FWC approval of agreement: Sign on payment of 3%
Location Allowances:
The following location allowance increases apply to exclusion of the above allowance increases:
Darwin
July 1 2024: $2000 flat increase
July 1 2025: $2000 flat increase
July 1 2026: $2000 flat increase
July 1 2027: 3% increase or CPI (whichever is greater)
Broome
July 1 2024: 4% increase
July 1 2025: 12% increase
July 1 2026: 12% increase
July 1 2027: 3% increase or CPI (whichever is greater)
Nominal Expiry Date:
June 30 2028
Other Matters:
Pandemic Leave: A proposed clause to be finalised.
FIFO Provisions: To be included into the Agreement based on current arrangements with some further clarifications of the right to opt in and out and exactly when a pilot is on annual leave etc.
Following the nominal expiry of the proposed agreement, salaries and allowances will continue to be increased by CPI each 1 July until a replacement agreement is approved.
Further information on all aspects of the proposed agreement will be provided in the coming days and weeks.
The next steps include the full drafting of the proposed agreement for a vote (along with other information the company is required to provide). The proposed agreement will then be released for the mandatory 7-day access period which the parties intend to commence as soon as possible (we are aiming for the week commencing 27 May 2024). Voting will open immediately after the access period.
Providing the proposed agreement is voted up by a valid majority of employees who will be covered by the agreement it will then be submitted to the FWC for approval.
We would like to thank everyone for their support and patience through the bargaining process. We would also like to acknowledge Commissioner Wilson’s assistance in bringing the parties together without the need for protected industrial action. Commissioner Wilson has also offered to assist in ensuring the proposed agreement meets all BOOT and other legislative requirements for approval.
As always, please contact Bill Surtees or me with any questions, concerns or questions regarding the Surveillance Australia (Leidos Special Mission) bargaining.
Yours sincerely
Simon Lutton
AFAP Executive Director
simon@afap.org.au