Lake Macquarie Council Leading the way on Superannuation
By Peter Collins
USU Organiser
Dec 12, 2008
Delegates at Lake Macquarie City Council have secured increases
associated with the renegotiations for their Enterprise Agreement, that
has set the standard for other councils across the State. The Lake Macquarie Workplace Organising Committees led by Outdoor delegate Paul Fairbairn and Indoor Delegate Steve Goodbun have met monthly for the past three years, actively dealing with issues and strengthening USU membership.
Log of Claims The most recent campaign has been to pursue a log of claims with the members through yard meetings and meetings with a cross representation of delegates.
The log of claims had been prepared and was due to be served on management in September, six months prior to the expiration of the existing agreement. The General Manager Brian Bell called the negotiating team to a meeting to discuss the implications of a new agreement and expressed the desire to rollover the existing agreement for a further 12 months due to the Council currently embarking on a major review of services, that was likely to drain management resources.
Delegates expressed their apprehension over the previous General Manager making a similar request without any incentives which prompted Brian Bell to make an excellent offer committing to a 3.5% pay increase from the first full pay period after 1 November 2008 with an additional increase into the compulsory superannuation contribution from 9% to 10%, effectively giving the members a 4.5% pay increase from 1 November 2008, well above the State Award increase of 3.2%.
In addition, at the request of the delegates, a one off increase of 5% for outdoor travel allowance was also agreed.
An additional 4% increase effective as at the first pay period in November 2009 or the rate increase, whatever is the greater was also agreed upon.
No Trade Offs All increases were negotiated with no trade offs at all, the only concession being to rollover the existing agreement for a further 12 months.
It should be noted that Lake Macquarie City Council is one of the final three participants in the A R Bluett Awards for the most progressive council in the state.
