MC Herd RENEWAL OF ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT   Ongoing discussions have been held with the Company since 26th October in relation to the renewal of the current Enterprise Bargaining Agreement which expires on 9th December 2006.   Union's Position   At a General Meeting of employees on 4th October the following resolution was passed: 1.    The current Agreement to be rolled over. 2.    4% pay rise for each year of the Agreement. 3.    3 year agreement.   Company's position   On 17th October the Company responded with a letter from their legal representatives saying the Company required the following changes:   1.     Removal of Butchers Picnic 2.     RDO's to be paid for by employees. 3.     Increase in beef tallies due to installation of downward hide puller. 4.     Ability to work 8 hours per day chain time. 5.     QA Officers to be paid QA allowance only whilst carrying out QA duties. 6.     There may be some other matters to be discussed. 7.     If Agreement is not reached by the EBA expiry date (9th December) the current Agreement will remain in force until replaced by a new Agreement. 8.     If the above proposals are accepted the Company will offer a three year agreement and a 3% pay rise for each year of the Agreement.           The Company have given the following information to explain how their proposals would operate:   ROSTERED DAYS OFF 1.     Regular daily and weekly employees who attend work and perform the inherent requirements of their allocated tasks will be entitled to one day off in each 20 day/4 week cycle. 2.     An amount of 1/19 of an employees ordinary daily earnings will be deducted and allocated to a pool on their behalf. 3.     When an employee qualifies for an RDO payment for that day will be made from their entitlement in the pool. 4.     A days pay for the RDO will be calculated by adding the amount of money credited to the pool on their behalf in the20 day cycle. 5.     On termination of employment, any outstanding entitlement in the pool for an employee will be paid to the employee. 6.     Rostering/accumulation of RDOs.  An employee may be regularly rostered off during a particular work cycle, or an employee may be required to accumulate his/her entitlement up to a total of nine days.  In this case, such accumulatd days off on other days subsequently accumulated must be taken: (a)     at such time as is agreed between the employee and the employer; (b)     before the expiration of 12 months from the anniversary at which such accumulation began; (c)     employees who agree to work on their rostered days off may:           (i)  work up to 6 RDOs per year;           (ii) receive payment for days worked in addition to payment for RDOs from their pool.   PROPOSED RATES FOR STOCK PROCESSED IN ADDITION TO HIGH TALLY          tally payment   over tally   additional Beef Slaught   6.8152   9.3734   11.9316 Mutton Slaught   1.6782   2.4498   3.221   Labourers' Rates are still under review.   BEEF TALLY - DOWNWARD PULLER           New Tally      20   High Tally   27 Beef Slaught   6.4745      8.0343 Beef Labourer   $108.12 (8 hours)      5.143   PRE OP/AUDIT ALLOWANCE QA  $5 per day   NIGHT SHIFT LABOUR/DRIVERS increase $26.40 per week.   The Company have also indicated to the Union and the Shop Committee that if any industrial action takes place the Company will re-assess its position.   At this point of time both parties are poles apart in their positions but are committed to continue discussions. The Union has asked our National Organiser, Lee Norris, from the Federal Office in Queensland, to come and speak to a General Meeting at Herds to explain the new Industrial legislation and its possible effect on our situation.   That meeting will take place at 12 noon on WEDNESDAY 15th NOVEMBER