STOP THE SELL OFF
Big Brother comes to Burwood: workers reject covert surveillance
By Wayne Moody
USU Organiser

Workers at Burwood Council have slammed plans to fit outdated plant equipment and trucks with state-of-the-art GPS tracking systems, accusing the council wasting money to keep tabs on workers

The United Services Union (USU) backed workers' claims and said money would be better spent on upgrading the local library, fixing council facilities and ensuring employees have adequate safety training.

"Burwood Council have so far refused to divulge how much this exercise will cost, no doubt to cover up the huge waste of rate-payers' money it will be," USU Organiser Wayne Moody said.

"We question why council wants to spend possibly tens of thousands of dollars to equip old trucks, broken-down mowers and other plant equipment with whiz-bang GPS technology, when the entire council area is only seven square kilometres.

"It's ludicrous and suggests to us that council is more interested in intimidating and keeping tabs on its workforce than improving roads, parks and amenities for the community."

At a recent meeting with management workers passed a motion rejecting council's intention to install GPS systems until all safety training has been completed and equipment has been updated to meet service requirements.

"It's all well and good to say valuable council equipment should be properly equipped with safety hardware, but when all the equipment at Burwood is past it's use-by date, it seems a bit superfluous."

The USU said Burwood Council wants to install the equipment because Sutherland Shire Council has done so.

"Sutherland is a larger council than Burwood, and comparisons between the two local government areas are not appropriate.

"Burwood should make financial decisions based on the needs of its workforce and community. Not what some other council does."