GYMPIE REGIONAL COUNCIL DISAPPOINTS YET AGAIN

Today’s bargaining discussions with the Gympie Regional Council were another disappointment.

Following last night’s online member meeting, The Services Union pressed your claim for a pay increase more in tune with the current economic indicators, namely 5.5% in the first year and 5% or State Wage Case in the second year – i.e., 10.5% over a two-year agreement. The Council’s response was to simply suggest that the 10.5% be applied over three years but “front-ended” with higher increases in years one and two, leaving something along the lines of 1% left over for year three. This ludicrous proposition fails to improve overall on the Council’s previous offer. It also defies all logic as there is simply no justification whatsoever for any pay package to contain a 1% increase in any year. With the current economic indicators likely to be making their effects felt for a while yet, signing up to such a deal is a risk just not worth taking, even with a higher increase at the front-end.

It's time for the Council to wake up. You are not in this process to take risks about what the economy might be doing in 2024. There is a remote chance that the economy will be so dead that the cost of living will dip below 1%, but you wouldn’t want to bet on it.

Our Union will notify protected industrial action in the form of a series of rolling stoppages tomorrow. We’ll be in touch from tomorrow morning to discuss exactly what the stoppages will mean for your work group so stay tuned. Direct any questions to Organiser John Denny , and if you work with someone who is not yet a member but is seeking pay-dirt, remind them that joining is easy online.