News Corp Australia Enterprise Agreement: What You Need to Know

As a major player in the media industry, News Corp Australia is constantly in the news itself. Recently, the company has been making headlines due to negotiations around their enterprise agreement. Here`s what you need to know about the current situation.

What is an enterprise agreement?

An enterprise agreement is a legally binding agreement between an employer and their employees, negotiated either directly or through a union. These agreements set out terms and conditions of employment, including wages, working hours, leave entitlements, and more. The agreement must be approved by the Fair Work Commission before it can come into effect.

What’s happening with News Corp Australia’s enterprise agreement?

The current enterprise agreement between News Corp Australia and their employees expired in June of 2020. Negotiations for a new agreement have been ongoing since then, but so far no agreement has been reached. In December of 2020, News Corp Australia made the decision to terminate the existing agreement.

What does the termination of the agreement mean?

When an enterprise agreement is terminated, the terms and conditions outlined in the agreement no longer apply. This means that News Corp Australia is no longer bound by the terms of the previous agreement, and can set new terms and conditions of employment for their employees.

Can News Corp Australia set new terms and conditions without negotiation?

It`s important to note that terminating an enterprise agreement does not give an employer free reign to set whatever terms they like. Any new terms and conditions of employment must still comply with minimum standards set out in the Fair Work Act. Additionally, the employees affected by the new agreement must still be given the opportunity to vote on whether to accept the new terms.

What’s next for News Corp Australia and their employees?

Negotiations are ongoing between News Corp Australia and the unions representing their employees. The company has stated that they are committed to reaching a new agreement that is fair and reasonable for both parties. However, with the termination of the previous agreement, the negotiations are essentially starting from scratch.

In the meantime, News Corp Australia has implemented a new set of employment conditions that they say are in line with industry standards. However, some employees and their representatives have raised concerns about the changes, particularly around job security and working hours.

Overall, the situation with News Corp Australia’s enterprise agreement is complex and ongoing. However, it`s a reminder of the importance of enterprise agreements in protecting the rights and working conditions of employees, and the need for fair negotiations between employers and their workers.