Industry Wage Negotiations Kick-off

INDUSTRY WAGE NEGOTIATIONS KICK-OFF

Negotiations this year will take place against a very difficult economic background. The sector is still in the throes of deep distress. A fragile economy, spiking unemployment, widespread business failures and huge job losses will no doubt test our mettle.

On a positive note, talks-about-talks are already well underway and to date all the parties have signed-off on a process or relationship agreement and a declaration to negotiate in good faith. A pre-bargaining conference was held on 7 February and a negotiating timetable has been agreed. Whilst all this on the surface may not seem to amount to much, it is all unprecedented and hopefully a sign that the difficulties we find ourselves in are shared by our union counterparts.

In terms of the timetable the following has been agreed:

Month Process Comments
7th February Pre-Bargaining Conference Understanding Industry Issues and Challenges
25th March

 

Submission and Exchanging of Demands and Triggering

Annexure E of the Council Constitution

Finalize respective parties demands, exchange of demands and triggering

Annexure E

10th April Commencement

of Negotiations

Commencement of   negotiations
24th April Negotiations Negotiations
8th May Negotiations Sign-off

You will observe we have set a tight time-line with the aim of settling early, within mandate and with minimal disruption. We understand how difficult this will be but this time round, parties are faced with a set of daunting circumstances that simply cannot be ignored. Manufacturing performance is anything but encouraging, persistently high interest rates, electricity outages, failing logistics and weak demand have all lead to a sector that is under siege.

Mandating, tactics and strategy will play a key role in delivering a sound agreement. We ask that member companies play their part in supporting their respective Associations who play an important role in formulating a consolidated mandate that allows the Main Agreement Negotiating Team to develop the tactics and strategy.

At the outset I extend a note of immense gratitude to all members of the 2024 Main Agreement Negotiating Team who during the process, will sacrifice an inordinate amount of time, effort and energy – over and above their day-to-day jobs – supporting the Office and me in ensuring that we meet the goals we have set.

This will be a difficult round but, in the end, we will succeed if we just stay the course.

Lucio Trentini

Chief Executive