This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'All-staff emails'.


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 

 
1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 
2


From:
ATO Enterprise Agreement
Sent:
Monday, 11 April 2016 2:13 PM
Subject:
All staff: Enterprise Agreement – clarifying the facts about streamlining 
[SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Categories:
ATO
 
1982 
Act 
 
 
 
 
 
Enterprise Agreement 
FOI  Office
Clarifying the facts about streamlining 
 
TO: All staff 
 
under 
As we talk with staff across the ATO we hear lots of myths and misunderstandings about the Enterprise 
Agreement (EA) proposal. We want to set the record straight so that when it comes time to vote, you’re 
armed with the facts. 
Taxation 
The APS bargaining policy 
Throughout the entire process we have been upfront about the requirements of the Government’s APS 
Bargaining Policy. Our EA proposal, just like every other APS agency/department must comply with the 
Policy – otherwise we cannot get our EA proposal approved by the APSC (and therefore cannot offer it to 
you for a vote).  
Of the 46 EAs that have already been voted in across the APS, they have all complied with the Policy and 
no exemptions have been provided. We are offering the maximum pay increase permitted under the Policy, 
and no agency has offered more than 6% over three years. 
Released 
One key requirement of the Policy is that EAs should be simple, clear and easy to read, and cannot impose 
‘restrictive work practices’. This applies to all APS agencies/departments. 
Australian 
The level of detail in the EA 
Recently we’ve heard assertions that the ATO is removing conditions from the EA so that it can change 
your employment arrangements at any time, and that the ATO is ‘stripping conditions’. 
We do not agree.  
In response to your feedback, and consistent with the Policy, we have re-written the proposed EA to 
1


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


From:
ATO Enterprise Agreement
Sent:
Wednesday, 20 April 2016 4:37 PM
Subject:
All staff: Enterprise Agreement - information about rostering [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Categories:
ATO
 
1982 
Act 
 
 
 
 
 
Enterprise Agreement 
FOI  Office
Information about rostering 
 
TO: All staff 
One area of the draft EA that has generated discussion during the recent information sessions has been 
the rostering provisions. We would like to take this opportunity to outline what is, and what isn’t, changing 
under 
in this area.  
Rostering hours 
Taxation 
The new EA will continue to limit rostering between the hours of 7.45am to 6.15pm, Monday to Friday. 
We’re aware that there are some rumours circulating that this is not the case, however we want to be clear 
that these time parameters are clearly stated in the proposed EA (clause 42.3). The ATO cannot roster 
employees outside these hours. 
We also want to highlight that these hours are no different to what is set out in the 2011 EA. The current 
Client Service Window is between the hours of 8am and 6pm (Monday to Friday), with rostering not to 
occur outside of the hours of 7.45am to 6.15pm. That 15-minute lead-in (7.45 – 8.00am)/lead-out (6.00 – 
6.15pm) is the time people currently have to start and finish their working day. 
Released 
Voluntary basis 
Just as it is now, rostering schedules will continue to be created on a voluntary basis as much as possible, 
including through using first preferences and flextime incentives for the next cycle. In addition, our proposal 
Australian 
clearly states that rostering arrangements will take into account work/life preferences, hardship factors, the 
expressed preferences of individuals, preferred hours of work and will also enable people to swap their 
rosters and renegotiate their hours. 
We are maintaining this approach because we know it is important to you.  
Where rostering can occur 
1


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


From:
ATO Enterprise Agreement
Sent:
Wednesday, 6 April 2016 4:45 PM
Subject:
All Staff: Enterprise Agreement – new proposals and next-steps 
[SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Categories:
ATO
 
1982 
Act 
 
 
 
 
 
Enterprise Agreement 
FOI  Office
New proposals and next-steps 
 
TO: All Staff 
 
under 
Today our bargaining team completed the 53rd day of negotiations to form a new Enterprise Agreement. 
The team made a number of announcements today which I would like to share with you.  
Taxation 
Christmas closedown in 2018 
I’m pleased to announce that we propose to extend the Christmas shutdown in 2018. This would mean that 
in 2018 the shutdown period would cover the full working day of Monday 24 December 2018 until 
Wednesday 2 January 2019. This half-day extension means you could start Christmas holidays at COB 
Friday 21 December 2018, rather than returning to work (or using other leave) on the Monday morning. 
While this, along with the Enterprise Agreement itself, is still subject to Australian Public Service 
Commission (APSC) approval, we intend to include this in our offer to you when we put the EA to a vote 
within the next few weeks.  
Released 
Remote localities provisions 
We have also proposed to maintain some elements of the remote localities provisions for those staff in 
Townsville and Darwin who currently receive these entitlements. This involves retaining the additional 
Australian 
leave credits (and leave loading) and the district allowance. 
Our aim for a vote 
Today the team also announced that we are aiming to conduct a vote starting on 29 April 2016. We’ll 
provide further details about the voting process as we approach that date, including how people who may 
be on leave can vote. 
1


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


From:
ATO Enterprise Agreement
Sent:
Thursday, 21 April 2016 3:31 PM
Subject:
All staff: Formal offer of the proposed ATO Enterprise Agreement - start of access 
period [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Categories:
ATO
 
1982 
Act 
 
 
 
 
 
Formal offer of the proposed ATO 
FOI  Office
Enterprise Agreement 
Start of access period 
TO: All staff 
 
under 
I would like to formally offer the proposed ATO enterprise agreement for your consideration.  
Taxation 
Tomorrow is the beginning of the ‘access period’ - the 7-day consideration period that occurs immediately 
prior to the vote and ends once the vote opens, as required by the Fair Work Act. During this period, 
employees should carefully consider the package of pay and conditions being put forward in the proposed 
ATO EA so they can make an informed decision before voting.  
To assist with consideration of the proposed EA, there is a range of material available on the EA 
SharePoint site. This includes: 
  a copy of the proposed agreement 
  a tracked changes document showing changes from the current agreement  
Released 
  a clause by clause comparison and brief description of changes 
  a series of fact sheets, setting out details about particular aspects of the proposal. 
Voting 
Australian 
Voting will commence at 9am AEST on Friday 29 April 2016 and will close at 1pm AEST on Thursday 5 
May 2016.  
The ballot for the ATO enterprise agreement (EA) is open to all employees of the ATO who are employed 
under the Public Service Act 1999 in classifications at or below Executive Level 2. 
1


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 

 
What industrial action is being taken?  
The CPSU has advised the ATO of the following: 
  
1.  All CPSU members in all States and Territories – the inclusion of a statement* which 
has been authorised by the CPSU, in internal email messages. 
*The CPSU will provide the statement to their members. 
This action will start at 00:01 hours local time on Friday 22 April 2016 and end at 18:00 
hours local time on Thursday 5 May 2016. 
 
Key points to note 
  This protected industrial action is not a work stoppage 
  Employees participating in this protected industrial action will otherwise be working as 
1982 
normal during this period 
  The ATO considers that there will be limited impact to the business from this particular 
industrial action and as a result has determined that there will be no salary implications 
for employees participating in this protected industrial action 
  Only those employees who are members of the CPSU and who will be covered by the 
Act 
proposed enterprise agreement are entitled to take protected industrial action of the 
type specified above 
 
The ATO recognises that employees have the right to take protected industrial action in 
accordance with the Fair Work Act 2009. Equally, we support those employees who wish to 
FOI  Office
continue to work on days when their colleagues are engaged in industrial action. An 
employee is under no obligation to either take part, or not take part, in any form of 
industrial action unless they wish to do so.  
 
What you need to do if you participate 
Once the action is over - and if you have participated - you should confirm this with your 
manager as soon as possible, especially where no prior notification was given.   
 
under 
Unprotected industrial action 
Only those employees who are members of the CPSU and who will be covered by the 
proposed enterprise agreement are entitled to take protected industrial action of the type 
Taxation 
specified above it is otherwise considered as unprotected industrial action. 
 
Unprotected industrial action includes actions that: 
  are not authorised by a protected action ballot 
  have not been notified to the ATO in accordance with the requirements of the Fair 
Work Act 2009 
  are undertaken by an employee who is not a member of the CPSU and/or who will 
not be covered by the proposed enterprise agreement. 
 
Employees who participate in unprotected industrial action will have a minimum pay 
Released 
deduction of four hours. 
 
Further information  

Australian 
For information about your right to engage or not engage in protected industrial action 
please read the industrial action information including FAQs on the Industrial Action 
SharePoint site.  
 
If you are contacted by the media for comment refer the enquiry to the Media Unit on (02) 
6216 1901. Please also remember your responsibilities as an APS employee in accordance 
with the APS Values and Code of Conduct. 
2


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


From:
ATO Enterprise Agreement
Sent:
Thursday, 28 April 2016 2:54 PM
Subject:
All staff: Message from the Commissioner - voting commences tomorrow 
[SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Categories:
ATO
1982 
Act 
 
 
 
 
 
Message from the Commissioner 
Office
Voting commences tomorrow 
FOI 
 
TO: All staff 
 
Commencing tomorrow you will have an opportunity to vote on our new Enterprise Agreement (EA) offer.  
under 
After such a long bargaining process, with so much information, claims and counter-claims, we have the 
chance to conclude the process and secure a pay increase. One thing is certain – if there is a yes vote, you 
will receive a 3% pay increase from the commencement of the new Agreement. 
Taxation 
After speaking with many of you over recent weeks I am confident that you recognise that we have listened 
and made considerable changes to present an offer that addresses the key concerns you expressed after 
the previous vote. The new EA offer continues the ATO’s excellent employment conditions, such as salaries 
at the higher end across the APS, generous leave provisions and the shortest working day in the APS. In 
contrast to the previous offer, and in response to your feedback, we are providing more certainty about your 
terms and conditions, including: 
 
  maintaining the 7 hours 21 minutes standard working day 
Released 
  keeping the current salary advancement arrangement to be paid on your anniversary 
  continuing with 8 days personal leave without documentation 
  rolling the health and wellbeing allowance into salary 
  retaining the part-day travel allowance 
Australian 
  including detail in the EA, particularly around consultation, rostering, work/life balance, performance 
(including underperformance), redundancy and representation 
  adding an extra half day of Christmas closedown on Monday 24 December 2018 
 
Make sure your vote is informed by the facts. There is a range of detailed information on the EA SharePoint 
page including a summary of the benefits of being an ATO employee. 
1


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


From:
ATO Enterprise Agreement
Sent:
Friday, 22 April 2016 10:58 AM
Subject:
All staff: Enterprise Agreement - information about the pay offer 
[SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Categories:
ATO
1982 
Act 
 
 
 
 
 
Enterprise Agreement 
Office
Information about the pay offer 
FOI 
TO: All staff 
We have been receiving questions in recent weeks about the pay offer for the new EA, so we would like to 
take this opportunity to address some key matters for you. 
Parameters 
under 
The APS Bargaining Policy (Policy) sets out the parameters for bargaining across the Commonwealth 
public sector.   
Taxation 
Pay offer 
The Policy states that ‘Remuneration increases may be negotiated up to an average of 2% per annum’. 
The ATO’s pay offer of 3%, 1.5% and 1.5% meets this requirement whilst also frontloading the pay offer. 
This is consistent with both the ATO’s affordability, and the Policy.  
Sign on bonuses and back pay 
Many people have asked why sign-on bonuses and back pay haven’t been offered, given that the 2011 EA 
nominally expired in June 2014. The Policy is very clear and states that ‘remuneration increases are to 
Released 
apply prospectively’ and that ‘sign-on bonuses are not to be negotiated’. 
Other agencies 
There have been some instances in other agencies where EAs were voted up under the previous 
Australian 
Bargaining Policy with a 4.5% (over three years) pay increase. For example, this occurred in the 
Department of the Treasury in July 2015. When the Bargaining Policy was changed in late October 2015 
(and the pay increase was lifted to 6% over three years), the Department, subject to affordability, was able 
to give their staff the additional increase – even though their EA had already been voted into force. The 
1.5% additional increase in remuneration (over three years) was paid on a prospective basis only – i.e. it 
was not backdated to the commencement date of their new EA. 
1


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


From:
ATO Enterprise Agreement
Sent:
Wednesday, 27 April 2016 4:49 PM
Subject:
All staff: Enterprise Agreement - misleading material distributed by unions 
[SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Categories:
ATO
 
1982 
Act 
 
 
 
 
 
Enterprise Agreement 
FOI  Office
Misleading material distributed by unions 
TO: All staff 
We write to address a number of what we consider to be misleading aspects of the 'vote no' material that 
has been circulated by the CPSU and the ASU in recent days.  
under 
The union material promotes a range of myths and misunderstandings about the offer. Do not accept it at 
face value. 
Taxation 
We encourage you to make your own mind up and review the detailed material from our information 
sessions, emails to you and facts sheets on the EA SharePoint Site or speak to your local SES officer. 
The bargaining process 
The CPSU claims that the ATO has not made changes of substance since the first offer you voted on last 
year. This is untrue. The ATO has made a number of significant changes to its proposal, including 
reversing our position on the length of the working day, retaining 8 personal leave days without 
documentation, retaining part day travel allowance, and rolling the health & wellbeing allowance into salary. 
We also have extensive detail in the EA about key conditions including rostering, underperformance and 
Released 
capability development.  
The unions have also accused the ATO of “bad behaviour and delay tactics”. We reject this statement
The ATO bargaining team and the ATO Executive has worked diligently throughout the negotiation process 
Australian 
within the parameters set by the Fair Work Act and the APS Bargaining Policy to bargain in good faith 
towards a new EA. There is no doubt this has been a protracted process. Industrial bargaining is an open-
ended process. It can, and often does, take time for parties to reach agreement.   
The allegation that the ATO has in any way behaved badly or deliberately delayed the process is utterly 
false. The ASU has taken the ATO to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) multiple times including to seek 
further bargaining which has delayed the process over the past two years and the FWC has never 
1

criticised our approach. 
The Bargaining Policy 
The unions assert that various elements of the EA offer are not required by the Bargaining Policy or go 
beyond what the Bargaining Policy requires. This is highly misleading.  
While it is true that the Bargaining Policy does not say, for example, "agencies must remove the fieldwork 
allowance", the policy does require remuneration increases to be offset by productivity improvements and 
funded from within existing agencies budgets without any redirection of programme funding.  
APS agreements have changed over time depending on parties' priorities, government policy, statutory 
requirements and economic conditions. Following the first vote, we listened to staff and identified areas 
where we thought changes could be made as equitably as possible to unlock funds to support the highest 
possible offer.  
1982 
The pay offer 
The unions state that the pay offer is not enough. However, it is important for staff to understand that the 
Bargaining Policy states that “Remuneration increases may be negotiated up to an average of 2% per 
annum” and are to apply prospectively.  
Act 
The ATO’s pay offer of 3%, 1.5% and 1.5% meets this requirement and frontloads the pay offer to give 
staff a welcome pay increase sooner rather than later. We are not permitted to ignore these requirements 
by simply offering back pay or sign-on bonuses. The ATO has no discretion about this and we are offering 
the maximum pay allowable under the Bargaining Policy.   
Office
The ASU asserts that the ATO can and should seek an exemption from the Bargaining Policy so we can 
FOI 
offer more than 6%. The ATO cannot simply ask to be excused from the rules that apply to everyone else 
across the APS. 
Rostering 
The CPSU alleges that the ATO is changing rostering arrangements in a way that will not “give staff any 
control over work life balance”. This is inaccurate and misleading.  
The hours for rostering will remain between 7:45am and 6:15pm Monday to Friday. The development of 
under 
rosters will rely on voluntary arrangements to the maximum extent practicable. When developing rosters 
the ATO will take into account the work/life preferences of employees, hardship factors, ensuring access to 
leave, flextime, study leave and L&D, and allow for swaps between employees or renegotiated hours 
Taxation 
where needed. Like the current EA, these factors form part of the proposed EA.  
Widespread or indiscriminate rostering across all areas of the ATO makes no sense, and we have been 
absolutely open and transparent about this.  
The material put out by the unions creates an atmosphere of fear and distrust. The suggestion that the 
ATO will unreasonably roster staff who are not currently in scheduled environments amounts to an 
irresponsible and inaccurate campaign.  
Salary advancement 
Released 
The ASU alleges that under a new EA salary advancement “would become more difficult”. This is untrue
For APS1-EL1 employees, the proposal states that you will receive advancement (if eligible) if your overall 
performance is “at the required standard (or higher)”. Under the Compass Performance Framework, if you 
are rated as being ‘on track’ then you will be treated as having met the required standard for your salary 
Australian 
advancement.  
Bandwidth 
The CPSU is alleging that our proposal to allow an individual to extend their bandwidth will mean the ATO 
can make “working unsociable hours a condition of employment and would undercut penalty rates”. This is 
false
. The ATO proposal is to maintain the standard bandwidth of 7am to 7pm, just as it is now. Where an 
2


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


From:
ATO Enterprise Agreement
Sent:
Tuesday, 26 April 2016 4:47 PM
Subject:
All staff: Enterprise Agreement - thank you for your participation in the EA 
information sessions [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Categories:
ATO
 
1982 
Act 
 
 
 
 
 
Enterprise Agreement 
FOI  Office
Thank you for your participation in the EA information 
sessions 
TO: All staff 
 
under 
Over the past three weeks, I and the other Commissioners have spoken directly to thousands of staff about 
the enterprise agreement during 38 information sessions in 19 sites around the country. Teleconferences 
Taxation 
were also held with staff in Darwin, Alice Springs and Burnie. 
Meeting face-to-face with so many of our people about this important issue was very valuable, and I want 
to thank those of you who made the time to come along and discuss the EA in an informed and open 
manner. 
I think it was of real benefit for everyone to hear responses to specific concerns straight from the 
leadership team. I think we were able to lay out the facts, clarify misconceptions and share our 
perspectives on the proposal.  
For those of you who weren’t able to attend, you will have seen the regular emails from the EA team that 
Released 
address the key areas of concern raised at the sessions. 
As I said at the sessions, my aim is for the ATO to be a great place to work; a place where you feel 
supported by good conditions and can be proud of what you do.  
Australian 
 
I hope we can reach agreement on our EA when the vote occurs from 29 April.  
 
 
 
 
1


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 

 
1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 
2


From:
ATO Enterprise Agreement
Sent:
Monday, 2 May 2016 10:40 AM
Subject:
All staff: EA voting is underway [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Categories:
ATO
 
1982 
Act 
 
 
 
 
 
EA voting is underway 
FOI  Office
Cast your vote – 3 and a half days to go 
 
TO: All staff 
Approximately 45% of staff have voted so far, with three and a half days left in the voting period. If you 
haven’t voted yet we encourage you to have your say and vote on your EA.  
under 
The ballot is confidential – the ATO does not receive any detail about whether you have voted, or how you 
have voted. All we know at this stage is how many votes have been lodged in total. 
Taxation 
 
How to vote 
By now you should have received an email or letter from ORIMA Research with voting instructions and an 
individual PIN. If you don’t have this information, please contact them immediately via email or on 1800 654 
585. Further information about the voting process is available here.  
  
The offer 
Released 
The new EA offer, which includes a 6% pay increase over the next three years, means we will continue to 
have some of the best pay and conditions across the APS, including the shortest working day and 
generous leave conditions. This offer has significant improvements compared to last year’s proposal, 
Australian 
including certainty and clarity about your terms and conditions. Key changes include: 
  more detail and protections around rostering, work/life balance, performance and representation 
  7:21 standard working day 
  salary advancement paid on your anniversary (where eligible) to staff rated ‘on track’ 
  continuing 17 days personal leave, including 8 days without documentation 
  rolling the health and wellbeing allowance into salary 
  retaining the part-day travel allowance 
1


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian 


1982 
Act 
FOI  Office
under 
Taxation 
Released 
Australian