Master Builders Victoria (MBV) has announced that an in-principle understanding has been reached with industry stakeholders and the CFMEU to deliver the next industry template enterprise agreement.

Key to the terms and conditions, which have been subject to intense negotiations for more than nine months, is an agreement for a new four year term, with simplified template clauses and greater flexibility in engagement.

MBV CEO Michaela Lihou says at a time when the industry is grappling with significant challenges, this agreement provides many within the industry with certainty.

“Right now our industry needs certainty to support critical future investment. Through our collaborative efforts with the Union, we believe this is what we’ve achieved with this four year template agreement. On behalf of our members, we have sought to influence and secure outcomes that are workable and sustainable in a challenging economic and political landscape,” she says.

“We have been able to negotiate clauses that are simpler and clearer, encouraging more harmonious industrial relationships, along with inclusivity provisions to attract and retain people to our industry.”

“We have kept overall cost increases below, or in line with historical averages. With a high inflationary setting and cost of living challenges at the forefront of most people’s minds, we believe we have landed at a reasonably negotiated outcome.”

The in-principle template agreement has a five percent base increase each year and also locks in allowances adjusted with CPI movements annually.

It provides greater flexibility in part-time employment, designed to make the industry more inclusive and attractive to a significantly broader range of people, as well as superannuation contributions based on superannuation legislation.

“During our collaborative negotiations, we also managed to temper a number of claims that we believe could have delivered particularly difficult outcomes for employers, and their ability to effectively manage their workforce.”

MBV acknowledges that the template industry agreement may not be appropriate for every business, and will support members should they choose not to use it.

And of course, MBV will continue to advise and assist members in discussions with their employees and their representatives around appropriate industrial instruments as required. 

“No employer in any industry looks forward to paying more to do business, but rest assured these outcomes could certainly have landed far less favourably. What we have thanks to this negotiated template agreement is a much more certain environment in which to do business.”

Media enquiries – Leigh McClusky 0411 711 780