ETU Discussions and Enterprise Agreement Negotiations

NECA provides this update on discussions with the Electrical Trades Union concerning future enterprise agreements for major construction electricians across Sydney, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory.

As advised to members previously, NECA attended an initial meeting at which our industry position was made clearly to the Union.

In particular, we don’t believe the multi-enterprise agreement the ETU is asking for, which covers NSW & ACT, is appropriate for employees, employers or industry, and risks adding costs and complexity to businesses across the state operating in very different circumstances on varied projects.  

The ETU did confirm that its position has not changed and that it will be seeking a single statewide multi enterprise agreement covering both New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Based on the points made by the ETU and further investigation of the options available, NECA has not altered its advice to industry. We have reaffirmed that while some employers may wish to explore coordinated bargaining arrangements for Sydney workers on major projects, NECA continues to recommend that businesses continue to maintain single enterprise agreements that reflect their specific operational, regional, and commercial circumstances. NECA remains committed to preserving that choice for employers.

This position reflects NECA’s focus on maintaining a bargaining structure that is practical, lawful, and aligned with the realities of project delivery in this market.

A meeting scheduled for Tuesday 2 December to progress discussions was closed to employers who did not agree to the ETU’s demand for bargaining to focus on a multi enterprise agreement covering both New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. It is unclear whether any employers did attend this meeting and have agreed to the ETU’s favoured agreement.

NECA, and employers, are still awaiting the formal log of claims from the Union. Without the log of claims, substantive negotiations on wages, allowances, and conditions cannot progress. NECA has formally advised the Union that we are ready to move immediately once the log of claims is issued. This is necessary to restore business confidence and to provide workers with certainty regarding their future pay and conditions.

NECA’s priority remains the achievement of fair and sustainable outcomes that reward employees, protect the viability of electrical contracting businesses, and minimise disruption across the industry. Members will continue to be kept informed as this matter progresses.

Members seeking individual advice in relation to enterprise bargaining or their current industrial instruments are encouraged to contact NECA’s workplace relations team.

Fill out the enquiry form to connect with a NECA Representative.