Gympie Regional Council workers have walked off the job.
Union members stopped work for an hour on Wednesday morning, saying the industrial action is a result of their absolute frustration with the Council’s refusal to offer a reasonable pay rise in the current round of bargaining.
Secretary of The Services Union Neil Henderson says the offer on the table just isn’t enough.
“We’ve made a concerted effort at the bargaining table for months, trying to convince Council management that its current wage offer of 3.5% per year is in effect a pay cut.”
“Cost of living in Queensland is around 7.3 percent… the gap is just too big for people who have to put food on the table and make ends meet.”
Mr Henderson says hopefully further industrial action WON’T be needed.
“We’re always hopeful that there will be a discussion and a resolution, but the Council needs to have a long, hard think about where it’s going on this.”
Council’s acting CEO David Lewis says they’re committed to resolving the enterprise bargaining process as quickly as possible in a mutually beneficial way.
He says while the industrial action is disappointing, Council staff are well with in their rights.
“Council management are committed to resolving this enterprise bargaining process as quickly as possible in a mutually beneficial way; noting the tabled offer of a 10.5 percent pay rise over three years back dated to December 2021.”
“It is important to acknowledge this has been a protracted negotiation and I understand the frustrations which can occur from that.
“It also needs to be acknowledged our council is predominately funded by the rate payers of the region.
“While a fair wage for a fair days work is a value we hold closely, we must be mindful of the impact on the wider resident and rate payer.
“I am confident these negotiations will be resolved in a way which achieves a balance between both. “
Image: The Services Union/Facebook
