With unions last week rejecting a revised pay offer and refusing to halt protected industrial action ahead of another conciliatory meeting next week, a drop in Noosa Council’s service levels is unavoidable.
That’s the message from Noosa Council’s CEO, Larry Sengstock, who has thanked the community for its continued patience during the certified agreement negotiations.
“The community has been very understanding, which we greatly appreciate,” he said.
“The delays to many functions are understandably causing frustration for our community,” he said.
“Many non-union staff continue to deliver for our residents and ratepayers, but we simply can’t maintain the full scope of our services to the high levels our community usually expects.
“It’s disappointing that the union members continue to take protected action during these negotiations, which is impacting services such as filling potholes, grading roads and monitoring illegal camping activity,” he said.
Mr Sengstock said the staff who are working were prioritising urgent tasks, which meant inevitable delays to lower priority maintenance and repairs.
“It’s unavoidable that it is taking longer to get to pot hole repair, and for park maintenance to be completed, other than mowing which is outsourced to a private contractor,” he said.
“With fewer local laws officers out in the field we also can’t maintain our hard line on illegal camping during this period.”
Under protected industrial action staff are permitted by legislation to work in a limited capacity or refuse to undertake certain duties or tasks at work.
“The unions are continuing to exercise this right and unfortunately it means we have to deliver our wide suite of services with a reduced workforce while the talks continue,” he said.
“Fortunately, all our facilities are continuing normal operations.”
Mr Sengstock said Council last week offered an extra half a per cent, meaning a 14 per cent pay increase for staff over three years.
“Coupled with the 12 per cent pay increase over the past two years, the latest offer equates to a 26 per cent pay rise over five years. For a council of our size, it’s a very competitive, generous offering,” Mr Sengstock said.
“We’re ready and willing to continue negotiations with the unions and have asked them if they were willing to halt the industrial action in good faith ahead of next week’s meeting with the Queensland Industrial Relations Commissioner, but they refused,” Mr Sengstock said.
“Our goal is to ensure job security and maintain existing services. We also want to reward staff while spending ratepayer money responsibly to keep general rates increases to an affordable level.
“We have provided what we consider a fair and responsible package to our employees. The decision to increase our offer shows our commitment to negotiate in good faith and we’re keen to find a reasonable compromise in this tough economic climate.”
In addition to the now-14-per-cent pay increase over three years, Council’s certified agreement package includes five days’ wellbeing leave, a doubling of family and domestic violence leave, and an increase to funeral leave.
