STAFF WRITERS
MEMBERS at Yallourn Power Station will be backpaid superannuation after the Fair Work Commission ruled in favour of the Mining and Energy Union application for members to receive their withheld payments.
Around 70 workers are affected, with the accumulated underpayments totaling approximately $75,500.
Victorian District Secretary, Mark Richards said this was a long running dispute.
“Members were not receiving their correct superannuation payments all the way back to 2020,” he said.
“While it is disappointing that EnergyAustralia fought us every step of the way, we are extremely pleased that the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission ruled in our favour.
“I have spoken to members who say they are very relieved that this has now been resolved. At the end of the day, members just wanted to get what they were always entitled to.”
The underpayments were uncovered after the Mining and Energy Union (MEU) conducted an audit after a new payroll system was introduced in 2020.
Following the audit, the MEU lodged a case with the Fair Work Commission. Last month the Commission found in favour of the Union.
Historically, EnergyAustralia failed to make superannuation contributions to employees concerning the ordinary hours not worked by employees when they take time off in lieu for the payment of overtime.
EnergyAustralia has now committed to depositing the withheld payments, with interest, into members’ superannuation accounts.
“We acknowledge the decision the Fair Work Commission Full Bench has made in relation to how time off in lieu of overtime is treated for superannuation purposes under our Yallourn enterprise agreement,” an EnergyAustralia spokesperson said.
“We rigorously audit our superannuation obligations across EnergyAustralia – including under all our Enterprise Agreements. We note that the Commission at first instance determined that our approach was correct.
“We remain committed to working constructively with the MEU and implementing the Full Bench’s decision.”
