GYMPIE REGIONAL COUNCIL - MEMBERS ON RIGHT TRACK

Congratulations to all members of The Services Union who have committed to taking Protected Industrial Action today in support of a better pay offer at Gympie Regional Council. If you’ve arrived at the view that the Council’s approach to pay increases is significantly out of whack with the current economic indicators, your view is supported by no less a financial authority than the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). According to the RBA’s statement released this morning:

“Inflation in Australia is the highest it has been since the early 1990s and is expected to increase further over the months ahead. Global factors explain much of the increase in inflation, but domestic factors are also playing a role. There are widespread upward pressures on prices from strong demand, a tight labour market and capacity constraints in some sectors of the economy.

Inflation is expected to peak later this year and then decline back towards the 2–3 per cent range.”

There is no mention of inflation falling to the 1% the Council expects you to swallow in 2024 to fund a “front-ended” pay increase. It’s a matter of public record that the RBA’s predictions have been on the low side, meaning that inflation may well remain higher than 2 or 3%. So if you’ve made the commitment to your colleagues to stop work today to tell the Council that 10.5% over three years with reduced salary maintenance won’t cut it, clearly you’re on the right track. Check your mobile for further details and remind your colleagues that only members can participate. Joining is easy online.