The CEPU is seeking the views of its Optus members and other employees as to the content of the next Optus Employee Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Although the current Optus EPA does not reach its expiry date until October, the company has begun what it describes as “discussions” with employees about the content of the new agreement. In correspondence with the CEPU, the company has suggested that it does not regard these discussions as formal negotiations.
Once negotiations begin, Optus is obliged under Labor’s laws to inform employees of their rights to have bargaining representatives. The CEPU automatically becomes the representative of its members in Optus. It would seem the company is in no hurry to begin this process.
There is obviously a somewhat fine line between “discussions” and “negotiations”. However, whether or not Optus can be said to be already negotiating with its employees, the CEPU believes that its members have the right to have organised input into the EPA renewal process.
The Union has had a number of consultations with its members with a view to establishing what they see as the key issues for the next EPA and ensuring that these are represented to management.
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