The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) has called on the ACT Chief Minister to intervene, after Evoenergy announced it would dock the pay of workers who wear campaign materials or inform the public or media about their struggle for a decent pay rise.
The ETU said the company made a pay offer which amounts to 8 per cent over three years, a significant cut to real wages, whilst annual inflation is running at 6 per cent. The ACT Government effectively owns 50 per cent of Evoenergy through its wholly owned subsidiary, Icon Water.
The ETU advised the company of a range of actions late last week, including wearing campaign badges and shirts, attaching campaign materials to emails and alerting the public to the need for a payrise that keeps pace with inflation.
Evoenergy responded with an email to staff late on Friday warning that if they took part in activities as innocent as wearing a badge or talking to the media “you will not receive any payment for the day, even if you perform other duties on the day”.
ETU NSW/ACT Secretary, Allen Hicks, said the Evoenergy’s conduct was unacceptable.
“The company is seeking to bully and intimidate its workers for taking legally protected action which was supported by 90 percent in a ballot.
“The protected actions ETU members will take on Monday are about telling the public why workers are fighting for a reasonable pay rise that meets the cost of living. Evoenergy plans to punish workers for activities including wearing badges and having conversations while performing their regular duties.
“The ETU calls on the Chief Minister to intervene. Andrew Barr needs to explain to ACT residents why he is allowing a company which is half publicly owned to treat workers like this. None of the actions notified compromise energy security, supply or safety.
“ETU members will not be deterred by threats and intimidation. ETU members will continue fighting until they achieve a fair pay rise that is in line with the cost of living pressures.
Workers at the company took strike action on Tuesday, the first such action in many years.
In a statement, Evoenergy said it is currently negotiating with employees and representative unions on a replacement for its Enterprise Agreement which expired on 30 June 2023.
“While we are disappointed this action is taking place, we respect the process undertaken through the Fair Work Commission and will continue to negotiate a resolution in good faith.
“Our goal is to reach an agreement which recognises the hard work of our employees while balancing customers’ expectations around energy costs.”