Employees at Noosa Council to take strike action

Lead organiser Tom Rivers at a recent Brisbane City Council strike action. (Supplied)

Members of The Services Union (TSU) working at Noosa Council will take strike action this Wednesday 19 March, in pursuit of a fair Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA).

According to the TSU, the action comes as the Council has failed to offer adequate pay increases that properly reflect the hard work and dedication of its members, who provide essential frontline services to their local community each and every day.

Lead organiser Tom Rivers said it’s time for Noosa Council management to stop playing games and present a wage offer at the bargaining table that not only keeps up with the cost of living but also aligns with what other councils are offering.

“Every day, employees at Noosa Council go above and beyond to provide vital services to their local community,” Mr Rivers said.

“They deserve to be compensated fairly for their frontline work, especially given the rising cost of living because Council’s current offer of 6.5 per cent, 3.5 per cent, and 3.5 per cent simply doesn’t cut it.

“Our Union has rejected Council’s offer, and we’ve put forward a fairer proposal that would address the needs of our members and the challenges they face in the current economic climate.

“Our members are committed to the local community, but they also need to be paid in a way that acknowledges their high levels of productivity and their significant contribution,” Mr Rivers said.

The strike action will include a stop-work meeting at 9am on Wednesday 19 March, outside the Tewantin Council Chambers (Pelican Street).

“Unfortunately strike action is always a last resort but if Council management is serious about retaining skilled workers and attracting the best talent moving forward, they need to offer a fair and competitive wage,” Mr Rivers said.

“Without this, the Council will continue to face workplace attrition, and the quality of services and service delivery to Noosa’s ratepayers will inevitably suffer.”