After four hours of conciliatory talks, Commissioner Caddie of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) and union representatives failed to reach a wage deal with Noosa Council on Thursday 22 May.
Unions were advised by Council that staff involved in further protected industrial action will be subject to an unpaid lockout until Monday 2 June.
The Services Union stated, “Following a challenging and lengthy day at the bargaining table, we were shocked and dismayed to learn that the CEO has imposed a six-day lockout of Union members, starting today (23 May).“
“This response is highly disproportionate.
“It is utterly outrageous that Council has opted for a six-day lockout at a time when we were so close to securing an agreement that could satisfy all parties. That this decision was made without warning feels like an unnecessary escalation.
“The Council had all of the negotiation meeting yesterday, with the assistance of Commissioner Caddie, to raise this with us, instead they waited until the meeting had finished.“
Noosa Council chief executive officer Larry Sengstock said on Friday many staff opted to lift the protected industrial action and return to their regular duties.
“Any employees who were taking industrial action but return to their normal work will be welcomed on full pay,“ he said.
“The protracted negotiations and industrial action undertaken by union members over the past few weeks where they attend work, receive full pay but don’t carry out any work has put enormous pressure on staff who’ve chosen not to participate in the industrial action.
“This has had a significant impact on our people and community with maintenance activities and requests not being completed.
“Unfortunately, the only way to ease the backlog of work is to initiate an unpaid lockout which allows Council to take other steps to get the work completed,” he said.
Mr Sengstock said the offer of 15 per cent over three years including backpay was a very strong, fair, and reasonable package that recognises the efforts of all staff.
“It strives to achieve a balance, between an affordable pay-rise and ensuring job security going forward. We believe our offer of 15 per cent does this,” Mr Sengstock said.
Council’s ’Option 2’ offer included 15 per cent over three years and four months, with wage increases as follows: 6.5 per cent in February 2025, 5 per cent in July 2026, 3.5 per cent in July 2027, or CPI each year, whichever is greater.
In response, the Unions expressed interest in Option 2, provided that Council would consider a base rate uplift before the first percentage increase.
“This was proposed to address the disadvantage caused by the longer gap between the first and second pay rises in the extended offer,“ The Services Union stated.
“However, the Council declined to entertain a base rate uplift.“
At the end of the conference, Council confirmed that Options 1 and 2 are their final offers.
