Union begins pay talks at Cassowary Coast

The Services Union commenced negotiations with Cassowary Coast Regional Council for your new Certified Agreement (CA) on Wednesday 14 September. Early in the discussions, it emerged that the Council was interested in replicating (or “rolling over”) the current CA. Giving regard to the fact that the cost of living is on everyone’s mind, the combined unions took the view that a roll-over would be worth discussing.

As the current underlying inflation rate is 4.9%, we advised that we’d consider a roll-over with an average annual pay increase of no less than 5%, and that we had an open mind on the length of the proposed new CA. The Council will respond to this proposal on Tuesday 20 September.

We’ve only just begun our bargaining journey at your workplace, and our Union will be by your side for as long as it takes. At this early stage, while we’re still exploring the options, it’s encouraging to encounter an employer willing to be frank and flexible in its bargaining approach. Once we have a clear indication of the Council’s pay position, members will decide our next steps. If you work with someone who’s not yet a member and keen to have a say, joining is easy online.