It pays to be united

Are you a USU member wanting to become more active with other USU members in your occupational group?  Would you like more avenues to express your opinions?

If so, you are invited to register to participate in a forum of the USU Rangers & Parking Patrol Officer Reference Group.

Other things you can do:

•    Find out more about the USU Rangers & Parking Patrol Officer Reference Group and obtain copies of reports and surveys.
✓    Check out the website: www.usu.org.au/localgovernment/rangers.html

•    Have an opportunity to give opinions on current topics relating to local government rangers to assist us lobby for improvement across local government.
✓    Check out the current hot topics – go to www.usu.org.au/localgovernment/hottopics.html

•    Find out more about the NSW Local Government Rangers & Parking Patrol Officers Taskforce on Safety
✓    Take a look at the website:  www.localgovernmentsafetytaskforce.com

✓    Let us know if you want to be on the waiting list to sit in on a Taskforce meeting.  Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   and ask to be put on the waiting list

✓    Have a close look at the 10 Steps Toward Safety document on this website – this gets updated from time to time.

USU Action to improve safety
In recent years the Union has focussed considerable attention on improving safety outcomes for rangers, parking patrol officers and other officers with law enforcement functions.  Many officers experience violence and abuse from aggressive members of the public while performing their duties.  The Union has worked hard on this front and is not finished yet.

Here’s some of the things the USU has been doing

Union Actions at the industry level

Promoting safety across the local government industry through the NSW Local Government Rangers and Parking Patrol Officers Taskforce on Safety. This Taskforce was an initiative of the USU to encourage industry attention on safety issues.  Organisations now involved include: the USU, Workcover, the LGSA, StateCover, Councilsafe, Australian Institute of Local Government Rangers (Inc), Australian National Parking Steering Group (NSW), as well as a number of rangers and parking patrol officers from metropolitan, regional and rural  councils from across NSW. 

Submissions and Lobbying MPs on a range of issues e.g. safety concern regarding the confiscation of alcohol by council officers, training issues, as well as back-up and support for officers.

Award Negotiation – The USU negotiates to maintain and improve Local Government (State) Award pay and conditions.

Resourcing and providing administrative support for the USU Rangers and Parking Patrol Officers Reference Group and the NSW Local Government Rangers & Parking Patrol Officer Taskforce on Safety.

Research and related reports have dealt with a range of topics including: the experiences and perspectives of rangers and parking patrol officers; council records of injuries experienced by officers from aggressive members of the public; risks associated with the confiscation of alcohol; as well as other topics.

Statewide Campaigns focussing on critical issues as they arise.
Information provision through the establishment and maintenance of websites and other information formats.

Enquiries: Lyn Fraser • Phone: 02 92658211
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

At the local level

If you have an issue at your workplace which requires attention, speak to your workplace union delegate in the first instance who will assess the matter and may refer it to the USU Organiser. It is also important to become familiar with the Grievance and Dispute Procedures set out in the Local Government (State) Award.

Being a member of the Union can enable you to be represented by the Union in the event of a dispute. It also provides you with a range of other benefits which you can check out on our website at www.usu.org.au

Some Key Activities:
2011    USU developed 10 Steps Toward Safety. During 2011, the NSW Local Government Rangers & Parking Patrol Officers Taskforce on Safety adopted the 10 Steps with a few amendments– see promotion on the Taskforce website.

USU Rangers & Parking Patrol Officer Reference Group continues to review progress and lobby for change.

2010    December 2010 USU sponsored website launch of NSW Local Government Rangers and Parking Patrol Officers Taskforce on Safety
July 2010 One year on.... review of USU activity since the release of the ‘Moving-on for Safety’ report

June 2010 Survey of councils and release of report on risk assessments, nature of physical and psychological injuries or illnesses suffered by staff.

2009    November 2009 First meeting of Taskforce on Safety at the USU -bringing together representatives from various local government organisations to work together on improving safety.

USU survey of councils regarding the confiscation of alcohol and safety concerns – report released Oct 2009

July 2009 Launch of ‘Moving-on for Safety’ – results of the survey of rangers & parking patrol officers.

2008    July 2008 – November 2008 Survey of rangers and parking patrol officers.

Start of USU Reference Group - Rangers & Parking Patrol Officers