Gosford City Council in IRC over Child Care Centre Closure
By Luke Hutchinson
USU Organiser
Dec 15, 2009
Today the United Services Union (USU) filed proceedings against Gosford
City Council in the New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission
over the closure of the Erina Occasional Child Care Centre. The USU has condemned this appalling decision by the elected Council to make the decision to close the centre on Christmas Eve making some employees redundant.
USU Organiser Luke Hutchinson said, "Council have made a cold, reckless decision to terminate the services of this important facility to the detriment of the community and unfortunately terminating the services of some of Council's longest serving tireless workers."
The report that went before the elected council was fundamentally flawed in that staff and Centre management were not involved throughout the review process or provided the opportunity to present any feedback. Staff were also not afforded the opportunity to formulate solutions or strategies that may have prevented the closure of this important community service.
The elected Councillors have made a decision on a flawed report, then requested the Council Officers to implement the report without the employees having any recourse to the Councillors, as they are on a Christmas holiday.
"Three weeks before Christmas local staff members and the community will unfortunately be forced to reassess what Christmas will bring for them, Gosford Council has to take responsibility for this callous act and reconsider their decision immediately."
Strong community support and outrage has been generated in direct response to this decision. Federal member for Robertson - Belinda Neal summed up the community sentiment saying, "This decision will disadvantage parents and cause great distress to staff, some of whom have been loyal employees for over 20 years."
The USU is very concerned that this decision may be "the thin edge of the wedge" for the rest of Council's services and staff members. It has been widely reported throughout the community, due to poor managerial decisions, Gosford Council has allegedly lost in excess of $50 million through recent poor investments. The Union is concerned this recent closure may be a direct decision to "cover up" mismanagement of crucial financial decisions and this may not be the last service to bear the brunt.
The Union hopes the creators of this disgraceful decision do not choke on their Christmas lunch when thinking of the workers they have made redundant the day before.
