On Tuesday 24th October hundreds of Shoalhaven Council employees, union
members, community groups and families attended the USU Mass Shoalhaven
Workers Rally in Nowra to protest the decision by Shoalhaven City
Council to attempt to introduce Australian Workplace Agreements for
workers in the aquatic centre who are seasonal and casual employees.
The proposed AWAs immediately slashed all award weekend penalty rates and reduced casual loadings.
Upon learning of management's decision the United Services Union began a concentrated campaign at Shoalhaven City Council against the use of AWAs and the introduction of the Workchoices legislation.
The campaign culminated in a mass rally being conducted outside the Shoalhaven City Council chambers at the same time that council was debating the use of AWAs and NSW IRC Referral Agreements.
The mass rally called upon the elected Councillors to carry motions identical to those adopted by the elected councillors at Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama councils, “the rejection of Australian Workplace Agreements” and “promotion of union collective agreements” and the support of a NSW IRC Referral Agreement.
The Mass Rally called on elected councillors to leave the council meeting and address the rally and pledge their support for the motions and the employees. Mayor Greg Watson left the council chambers and addressed the rally pledging his support of the motions, as did Councillors Finkernagel, Rudd and Bates. The Councillors debated the motions and voted 9-4 against them, however passed a further motion to “refrain from introducing any of the Workchoices legislation until after the High Court decision and councillors have had a full briefing of the implications of the Workchoices Legislation.”
The campaign and rally was a huge success, and as a result of a persistent industrial, political, media and member driven campaign the council agreed to negotiate with the USU for a collective council agreement. Council has now signed off on a collective agreement that protects award conditions and provides flexibility for council in the areas where they proposed AWAs.
USU Organiser and rally Convenor David Perry said “The collective agreement is a great result and members of Shoalhaven City Council and their supporters should be congratulated for their show of strength and solidarity against Workchoices.”
USU Manager Graeme Kelly agreed, “All councils should take note of the events in the Shoalhaven dispute, and any councils that seek to use Workchoices to strip away award terms and conditions, will feel the backlash of workers and their families and the community.”
