QUBE Enterprise Agreement update

 Enterprise Agreement Negotiations 

Bargaining has been dysfunctional for some time and hasn’t progressed at all since November. The last opportunity for EA discussions occurred on 20 November 2024, when the Union offered to meet with Qube to discuss some terms that could be improved to make a ‘global settlement’ offer acceptable. On 25 November 2024 Qube responded declining this offer to meet, stating they were unwilling to move from their previous position that the Union had already rejected. There has been no attempt to meet or bargain since Qube rejected our offer to discuss proposals. 

Intractable Bargaining 

Following the Intractable Bargaining hearing, Deputy President Wright (who is deciding whether the bargain is intractable) was provided an update by way of Statement from Deputy President Saunders (advising that he convened a bargaining conference and the matter remained unresolved) and received a short note from each party providing some context to that Statement. 

We expect a decision any day now. 

Where to from here? 

The underpayment claim is progressing towards a hearing later this year in the Federal Court. The Union is doubling down on this claim and has briefed two more barristers to assist in preparing that matter which is presently listed for a 4-day hearing. 

Qube’s Judicial Review application/appeal will be heard by a Full Bench of the Federal Court in March and we are busy preparing for that matter also. 

The Union remains of the view that the bargain is intractable and its well past time that long-suffering Qube employees received a proper pay rise! 

That said, our door remains open should Qube do the right thing and move on from their most recent bargaining position. 

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