Hydro Tasmania can reassure Tasmanians that any industrial action by its employees will not impact energy supply. We are also working with the CEPU and its members to ensure the safety of employees and the public at all times. 

Since April this year, Hydro Tasmania has been in negotiations to replace the Hydro Tasmania Enterprise Agreement 2020 – 2022. The Enterprise Agreement (EA) provides terms and conditions of employment for around 550 of Hydro Tasmania’s 1250 employees. 

Over the course of 6 months, the Hydro Tasmania EA negotiation team worked through a comprehensive employee engagement process to make updates and improvements on the previous enterprise agreement, based on employee feedback. On 5 September 2022, the Hydro Tasmania Enterprise Agreement 2022 – 2026 (Proposed Agreement) was voted down by a small majority of EA employees. 

Hydro Tasmania believes that the Proposed Agreement was a fair and reasonable offer that was market competitive for our employees and provided a sustainable value proposition for the business into the future. It included modernised language to be more inclusive; improvements to travel and meal allowance provisions; increases in salaries for junior apprentices; and an overall base salary increase of between 2 and 3.5 per cent annually, with potential for a further 1.5 per cent based on performance. Hydro Tasmania also committed to transition payments in Years 1 and 2 of the Proposed Agreement, which will help offset the current high cost of living for our employees. Other key items from the previous EA, such as the generous provision of no debit sick leave, were also maintained. 

These updates were supported by other benefits outside the EA, including the recently announced expanded parental leave policy (details here) and an increase in compassionate leave provisions.  

In the past month the Hydro Tasmania EA negotiation team has travelled around the state to speak with EA employees, as well as conducting an online survey, to gain insight into their concerns about the Proposed Agreement.  Meetings with employee and union representatives have also been held to address multiple concerns raised during this time, as well as negotiate updates to the Proposed Agreement.  

Hydro Tasmania remains committed to working with employee and union representatives to negotiate a fair and reasonable agreement that is market competitive and a sustainable value proposition for the business into the future. 

Ends.

Released for Hydro Tasmania by Duncan Abey / 0409 722 359 / media@hydro.com.au