Union to protect council workers

The United Services Union has warned it will vigorously fight attempts to use the council amalgamation process as cover for cuts to jobs and services.

The union claimed that lobbyists in the business community are seeking to use the amalgamation process to have community services outsourced to the profit-driven businesses they work for.

General secretary Mr Graeme Kelly said: "Our role, first and foremost, is to make sure the voices of the men and women who are the backbone of local government are heard in the amalgamation process.

"While our members are supportive of reforms that genuinely improve services for their local communities, they will vigorously fight any attempt to use the cover of amalgamations to drive cuts to jobs, working conditions, or service levels.

"In particular, the union will continue to ensure key provisions of the Local Government Act that provide employment protections, in particular those contained in Sections 354 and 218CA, are strengthened and enforced."

Mr Kelly said that the union will hold the NSW Government to account as it goes through the process of reforming local government, ensuring it is done in a transparent way, that genuine consultation occurs, and that the voices of workers, ratepayers and local residents are heard and acted upon.

Media release, 18 Dec 2015

Graeme Kelly, United Services Union