The Community and Public Sector Union NSW (CPSU NSW) has urged its members working for disability service provider Aruma to reject an Enterprise Agreement offered to them by their employer.

“Aruma circulated its wish list draft agreement to staff without consultation and while there are still significant outstanding issues being worked through,” said Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright. “Aruma has shared a draft agreement with staff prior to completing consultation, and while a number of important matters are still being resolved. At this stage, the draft reflects changes that would reduce current wages and conditions.”

Mr Wright said Aruma has issued a 352-page documentation to members “with limited time to consider the information”.

The proposal will see cuts to existing penalty rates and some allowances.

The CPSU NSW is urging members to vote no to the proposed Enterprise Agreement. It is urging them to recommend a no vote to non-members. All staff are given the vote.

“If you don’t want to be stuck on a substandard agreement for three years, you must vote and you must vote no,” said Mr Wright.

Aruma has engaged TrueVote, an external expert provider to manage the voting process for this agreement. TrueVote will communicate directly with members about the vote. All voting will be conducted electronically and can be done or from the employee’s phone or via SMS.