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As of 12pm Monday 19 August 2024, Brighter have advised that they will respond to our draft edit this week.

We understand the delays are frustrating. However, this EA will set the foundation of our pay and work conditions, so it’s crucial we push Brighter to make it the best it can be.

We are aware that Brighter circulated a timeline with dates for when the EA consultation period and ballot would be taking place. Unfortunately, there has been a pattern of over-promising and under-delivering from Brighter. Those timeframes were always going to be challenging to meet and will now need to be adjusted.

What to expect and next steps: 

1. Once we receive a new draft, we will review it and return any issues to the fund.
2. We will hold an FSU member meeting to discuss the draft and decide on our position.
3. When Brighter has a draft proposal ready, they will initiate a minimum seven-day consultation period.
4. After the consultation, a ballot will be held, allowing all eligible employees to vote on the proposal. Brighter will set this timeframe.
5. If the majority of us vote ‘yes’ to the proposal, the fund will submit the paperwork to the Fair Work Commission for approval, which will take a few weeks.  If majority vote ‘no’ both parties are bound by good faith bargaining obligations and bargaining will resume after the FSU meets with members.

Your FSU bargaining reps – Stacey, Ria, John, and Jack – have been strong advocates throughout this process. Their efforts advanced redundancy, pay, and superannuation conditions and they continue to prosecute your positions in bargaining. 

We’re at a critical point in negotiations. We must work together collectively to get the best outcome. 

So if you are not yet a member, or you know someone that should be, now is the time to join. Union membership is tax-deductible.