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.
