Latest news

The main topic of discussion was the scope of the EA, including who would be covered by the new EA. Aware Super is now taking the issue to its Steering Committee for further consideration.

We have another meeting booked for next week where we hope this issue will be finalised so we can progress with negotiating the issues we all care about – like our pay! If you’d like to know more about why we’re talking so much about scope, watch our video or scroll down to read our Q and A. Want to stay up to date with every update from the bargaining room as they happen? Register to stay in touch or join our WhatsApp group, so you can get up-to-the-minute information and chat with our team at the bargaining table. Not yet an FSU member? Join the team that’s fighting for fair pay and working conditions at Aware Super today!

Q and A

What does ‘scope’ mean?

The scope of an EA describes who the agreement applies to. The scope of employees covered by the current EA is:

“Employees of Aware Super Services Pty Ltd and of VicSuper Pty Ltd who work in roles classified at Bands 1 – 4 using the AON classification framework, with the exception of all non-administration roles in investments”.

This means that everyone in Band 5 and above, as well as all people in non-administrative investment roles, are not covered.

What does it mean if you are not covered by the EA?

If you are in Band 5 or above, or in a non-administrative investment role, you will have an individual employment contact. You negotiate this contract individually, usually when you join the Fund.

At Aware Super, important entitlements like leave and redundancy are contained in policy, which reflect what is negotiated in the EA.

So why does it matter whether you’re covered or not by the EA?

Being covered by the EA means you get a genuine say in all your pay and conditions at work.

You will be able to vote on important leave entitlements like parental leave, and critical entitlements like your redundancy pay.

None of your existing entitlements will be negatively impacted, and you will gain the benefit of having a say in legally protected entitlements that are currently only in policy.

What do other superannuation fund EAs say about scope?

Funds like AustralianSuper and Cbus have EAs that cover all employees. You can check out a summary here of how different Funds approach the scope of their EA.

I care about pay, leave and redundancy – why are we talking about scope and not those issues?

The very first thing we did in negotiations was present our log of claims. This sets out everything we want to see in this new EA, including critical entitlements like a fair pay increase.

It is important that we resolve the issues around scope so that we all know who the EA will cover and who we are bargaining for. This matters so we can make sure your voice is heard at the table if this EA applies to you.

I have questions – who can I ask?

The Finance Sector Union is here to give you all the information you need throughout the enterprise bargaining process.

Contact our FSU Organiser Te Raina on [email protected], or the FSU Member Rights Centre on 1300 366 378 or [email protected].

You can also register to get the latest updates or join our WhatsApp group to ask questions here.