My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
Council Outsourcing Threatens Jobs Apr 30, 2009: The USU has commenced a campaign to protect Local Government jobs which
are under threat as the Local Government organisation "SSROC" (Sydney
Southern Regional Organisation of Councils) looks at ways to cut costs.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
Super Is (Still) Your Best Protection for the Future Apr 30, 2009: Over the past 12 months, since the financial crisis ripped through the
investments and retirement funds of most working Australians, many
members have questioned the value of superannuation.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
Librarians Form Their Own Alliance Apr 30, 2009: On 27 March USU contacts and delegates from across Library Services met
to take part in training and workshops run by the USU to develop
strategies to campaign against proposals by Councils to make staff
redundant and outsource.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
WORKCOVER TO SHELLHARBOUR COUNCIL Apr 30, 2009: Following discussions with members and delegates at Shellharbour
Council the USU instigated a Workcover investigation into what USU
Organiser Anna Watson believed to be a "culture of bullying".
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
USU FIGHTS TO PROTECT LOCAL GOVERNMENT FROM FEDERAL TAKEOVER Apr 30, 2009: The USU is calling on the NSW and Federal governments to stand by pre-election commitments to protect our NSW State award and state industrial rights from being transferred to the federal industrial relations system. General Secretary Ben Kruse says the USU believes this transfer could result in attacks on local government workers' pay rates and conditions.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
Jarrod Is A USU Winner Apr 30, 2009: Jarrod Monk from Newcastle Council was the first winner of our 2009
promotion. Above Jarrod receives his cheque for $1000 from Newcastle
Council USU delegate Ian Haywood with some of his co-workers pleased to
see him win.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
Wollongong Radio Doctors: USU Campaign Delivers Jobs Apr 30, 2009: In our last journal the Union reported on a dispute we were having with
Wollongong Radio Doctors, where our members lost their jobs at a call
centre in Wollongong. This call centre employed workers with
disabilities.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
Armaguard Delegates Boost Talks Apr 30, 2009: USU General Secretary Ben Kruse and USU Manager Clerical and Admin
Julie Griffiths met with the Armaguard local consultative committee
regarding local workplace grievances. A range of issues were worked
through with management regarding working hours, shifts, meal breaks,
uniforms, together with OH&S concerns.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
USU Campaigns To Save Jobs At Chubb Apr 30, 2009: At Chubb the USU is working with local delegates to save call centre
jobs at risk through the introduction of new hand held computer
technology.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
Safety Win for Council Law Enforcement Officers Apr 30, 2009: In a decisive victory for increased safety for council law enforcement officers, the NSW Government has passed legislation to help increase protections for council workers who are at risk of assault. Members of the public who physically assault council rangers and other enforcement officers will now face much tougher penalties as a result of the legislation.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
USU Members Campaign on Apr 30, 2009: In 2008 the USU undertook a comprehensive survey of rangers and parking
patrol officers as part of a campaign for improved safety for Rangers,
Parking Patrol Officers and other council law enforcement officers.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
Young Workers- Tell us What You Want Apr 30, 2009: The New Generation Youth Committee is a group made up of members aged
35 years and under that meet on a regular basis. The committee meets to
discuss issues affecting young workers and to look at strategies and
activities to address these issues.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
USU Members & Cessnock Council Unite To Help Victims Apr 30, 2009: As the aftermath of the Victorian Bushfire Disaster continues, many
working families struggle to deal with their loss. In a sign of
generosity and support, local working families are digging deep to
donate to the disaster relief appeal. One such gesture has been made by
the local USU membership of Cessnock City Council.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
USU Quick to Act Over Airport Safety Apr 30, 2009: Following the recent violence at Sydney Airport’s domestic Qantas
terminal, the USU Airlines Official visited delegates and members at
the Airport the next day to determine their safety concerns, and to
hold urgent discussions with Qantas management to ensure our members’
physical and psychological well-being.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
Delegates Work Hard to Keep Talks Moving at QBT Apr 30, 2009: The USU has been active this month at QANTAS QBT. Members have
expressed concerns about a poorly thought through management proposal
to offer employees access to unpaid leave and part time working hours.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
ELECTRICITY PRIVATISATION MYTHS EXPOSED Apr 30, 2009: Once the government ceases to own our power supply it will not be able
to control the companies that take over our electricity. This will
lead to even higher electricity charges and job losses.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
THE FIGHT FOR POWER RAGES ON Apr 30, 2009: The fight to stop privatisation of the NSW Energy Retailers and Generators has intensified again this year with many activities and events planned to place maximum pressure on the NSW government to rethink their position on power privatisation.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
Snowy River Council: Picnic Day for Union members ONLY Apr 30, 2009: On the 26th February Organiser Rudi Oppitz attended the Union's
quarterly meeting with our members at Snowy River Shire Council. Our
members were informed of the Union's campaigns in the Water and the
Power sections and were also given a briefing on the process now being
undertaken by the Union for the renewal of the Local Government State
Award, and members were encouraged to participate in this process.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
USU Demands Answers from NSW Government Ministers Apr 30, 2009: The USU Water Campaign Delegates Committee met with the NSW Water Minister Phillip Costa in February seeking answers about the management of water/sewerage functions.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
Paid Maternity Leave: Gosford Council Leads the Way Apr 30, 2009: In a positive development for the membership, the USU is happy to
report that Gosford City Council has recently made the decision to
increase Paid Maternity Leave. Gosford City Council employees will now
be entitled to 18 weeks full pay or 36 weeks half pay during their
Maternity Leave. In addition, Supporting Parental Leave has also been
increased to 2 weeks at full pay or 4 weeks half pay.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
Paid Parental Leave: A much Needed 2009 Stimulus Apr 30, 2009: Unions NSW is urging the Federal Government to keep paid parental leave
on the agenda for the 2009 budget and introduce the Productivity
Commission's recommended 18 week scheme.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
USU Welcomes Albury City Council Delegate Apr 30, 2009: Following the departure of previous delegate, Rob Hagean, the Murray
sub-branch is pleased to welcome Brent Kelso as Albury’s new delegate.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
Beaky's 35 Years as Union Delegate Apr 30, 2009: In early 1974, John (Beaky) Beacroft took up a position with Condobolin
Municipal Council where he met future USU General Secretary, Brian
Harris who was doing the country itinerary for the area. John soon
became the indoor delegate, probably because he was the only Union
member in a far western town.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
Mr Marrickville's Lifetime Achievement Apr 30, 2009: Paul Mazzotta was nominated for life membership at the USU by his
fellow Sydney Branch members after over a quarter of a century of union
involvement. Conference 2008 saw the acceptance of Paul’s nomination
and he was given his award at a recent Sydney Branch meeting.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
Kempsey Council Members Speak Out Apr 30, 2009: On Friday 6 February 2009, a number of Union members bravely told their
stories to Commissioner John Stanton of the NSW Industrial Relations
Commission who listened with compassion and empathy.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
United Strength Means Members Have A Say Apr 30, 2009: On Wednesday 25 February 2009 following extensive consultation with
members, USU Organiser Narelle Rich and Delegate Mick Herron met with
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s Administrator Garry Payne, General
Manager Andrew Roach and Human Resources Manager Juliet van Oirschott.
My USU Journal
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Autumn 2009
USU Win for Labour Co Members Apr 30, 2009: The USU has reached an agreement with Labour-Co and successfully
ratified an Enterprise Agreement with the New South Wales Industrial
Relations Commission.This agreement now will provide protection,
certainty and equity for Labour- Co workers engaged in Local
Government.
USU EVENTS
