Sunshine Coast Council tables wages offer
The Services Union met with Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) on 11 March for the fourth bargaining meeting for your new Certified Agreement.
SCC has proposed a 4-year agreement with the following increases:
- 4.00% in 2026
- 3.50% in 2027
- 3.50% in 2028
- 4.00% in 2029
Following Union discussions, the Year 4 offer improved by 0.50%.
Council says your current wages and conditions are already strong compared with other Councils, and wants a 4-year agreement to align future bargaining with planning around the 2032 Olympics.
SCC also confirmed they will not consider uncapped CPI protections, citing financial risk to Council.
Our Union's position
We are continuing to push for:
- A 3-year agreement
- 5% wage increases each year
- CPI safeguards each year
Improvements agreed so far
Agreement has been reached on several Union claims:
- Fatigue Management: 10 consecutive hours off after at least 2 hours overtime, or double time where this cannot occur.
- Domestic and Family Violence Leave increased from 10 to 15 days, including for employees supporting someone experiencing DFV.
- Natural Disaster Leave increased from 3 to 4 days.
Issues still in dispute
Council is also seeking changes that could reduce conditions:
- Changing Personal Leave from a 15-day yearly entitlement to daily accrual.
- Removing the definition of 'Emergency Work', which may affect members performing On-Call or Call-Out duties.
Next meeting
The next bargaining meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 25 March. Discussions will continue on:
- SCC's wage offer and a 4-year agreement?
- An agreement with no CPI safeguard?
- Personal Leave changes and
- Removal of the 'Emergency Work' definition
Have your Say!
We need your feedback on the above four (4) points before our next Bargaining Meeting.
Speak with one of your TSU Bargaining Delegates.
You can also speak with your Union Organiser.
Stronger membership means stronger bargaining power. If your colleagues are not members yet, please encourage them to join.