USU President Steve Birney looks at how the Union and members at one council worked together to save jobs in the face of the global economic crisis and calls on workers to continue to unite to fight for a fair go.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
USU to Canberra: Hands off Our Award Aug 28, 2009: In May a USU delegation of Senior Officials and elected representatives
led by General Secretary Ben Kruse and Union President Steve Birney met
with Government representatives in Canberra to lobby for Local
Government to be excluded from the Federal Modern Award system.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
USU Launches Moving-On For Safety Aug 28, 2009: The USU is pleased to announce the availability of the findings of the
major research project on safety concerns of rangers and parking patrol
officers in NSW Local Government.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
Save Our Local Government Award Aug 28, 2009: The federal and state governments are still to finalise the exclusion of NSW local government from the federal industrial relations system. Meanwhile the Australian Local Government and Shires Association has drafted a Local Government Modern Award which will apply to local government in NSW if we do not win the exclusion.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
Leichhardt Admin Building Gets Green Light Aug 28, 2009: Leichhardt Municipal Council has voted unanimously to proceed with the
two-story extension of the Administration Building after weeks of
pressure from employees and the community.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
HUNTER C & A BRANCH MEMBERS EVERYWHERE Aug 28, 2009: The Hunter branch of C & A covers clerical and administrative
workers north from the Central Coast to Port Macquarie and has members
in many and varied workplaces including the following:-
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
Airlines Modern Award Crash Lands: send a message to Canberra before it's too late! Aug 28, 2009: On 12th June 2009 our national union - the ASU - filed a submission in
the "modern Award" proceedings for the Airlines Operation Ground Staff
Award. The submission condemns the cutting of rates and conditions
that have been proposed by the Australian Industrial Relations
Commission (AIRC) in its first draft Award.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
Don Brightman at Wagga Wagga City Council wins $1000 In Draw Aug 28, 2009: The winner of the July $1000 USU Member’s Draw was Mr Don Brightman
Team Leader: Concreting, Lines & Signs at the Wagga Wagga City
Council. Don has been with the Council for ten years and has been a
proud member of the USU for those ten years too.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
Jobs Saved at Midwestern Regional Council Aug 28, 2009: On Wednesday 25 March 2009, eleven employees of Midwestern Regional Council were told by management that their jobs were identified as surplus. Six of these jobs were United Services Union members.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
USU & Lenny Lead May Day March 2009 Aug 28, 2009: On the 3rd of May 2009 the United Service Union was privileged to lead the 2009 MAYDAY march for the first time. This was thanks to the efforts from our Sydney wages delegate from Manly Council Gary (Bronco) Cullen.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
Council Workers Clear The Way Aug 28, 2009: Recent flooding on the mid north coast hit the local government areas
of Kempsey, Nambucca and Bellingen. The impact of these floods on our
members has been, in some cases, massive with at least two USU members
at Bellingen losing all their possessions and one member losing his
home as well as his possessions.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
Members See Benefits of Belonging Aug 28, 2009: USU Organiser Andrew Johnston reports that during the last 3 months there has been an increase in USU membership in all four Southern Branches.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
Great Results for Members at Palerang Council Aug 28, 2009: It's good when we get a result, it’s even better when that outcome is
shared. This year has seen the settlement of two disputes at Palerang
Council - one a very long running affair which originally kicked off in
2004 and the other which saw council recruiting employees at pay rates
outside of the evaluated salary range.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
IMB and ICU Merge: Make Sure You Stay In Touch Aug 28, 2009: IMB Management have announced that they propose to merge with the Illawarra Credit Union and are preparing the appropriate process to allow them to seek their membership approval for the merger to take place.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
USU Fights Unfair Dismissal and Wins Aug 28, 2009: In February 2008 the USU made an application against Fairfield City Council for unfair dismissal on behalf of our member Ms Teresa Soria.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
Wagga Wagga Council EBA Kicks Off Aug 28, 2009: To kick off the USU’s Enterprise Bargaining Campaign at Wagga Wagga
City Council, local “indoor” delegate, Mr Jeff Todd, local Organiser
Tyrone Lynch and USU Southern Recruitment Officer Andrew Johnston
conducted a walk-through visit of the WWCC’s Baylis Street offices.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
Time for Talk at Temora BBQ Aug 28, 2009: Earlier this year USU Southern Manager Graeme Kelly and local USU
Organiser Tyrone Lynch attended one of the regular morning “briefings”
held at the Temora Shire Council’s depot. Temora’s GM Mr Gary Lavelle
is keen to facilitate the USU meeting with Temora members regularly and
Tyrone Lynch regularly attends these report back BBQs.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
Kevin Rudd Must Put Words to Action Aug 28, 2009: USU members of Narrabri Shire Council attended a meeting held in
Narrabri, the meeting was attended by Manager North Steve Hughes and
New England Organiser Chris Preston.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
Another great benefit of your USU membership - free wills Aug 28, 2009: USU delegate John Winter from Bankstown Council recently arranged to
have Michael Barnes from White Barnes Solicitors attend the depot for
members to take advantage of the free will services as part of their
union membership.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
Doctors Appointments - your job and your rights Aug 28, 2009: Some members have recently been telling us that their employer has insisted on being present during doctors appointments. The employer has tried to justify this by saying that it’s necessary as part of a workers’ compensation claim, or just as a “return to work” appointment after a period of illness which has been unrelated to their work.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
Warren Shire Says Bullying & Harassment Is Not On Aug 28, 2009: Following a number of alleged incidents of Bullying & Harassment in
the Workplace at Warren Shire Council, the USU commenced negotiations
with management to have a Joint Statement signed by the Union and
Warren Shire Council to help with the exclusion of this activity in the
Workplace.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
From Kogarah to Canada Aug 28, 2009: In 2007 Kogarah Council introduced a traineeship program to attract
young workers to its public works department. The program hoped to
provide avenues for younger workers to train in areas such as
engineering, parks & gardens and streetscape.
My USU Journal
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WINTER 2009
Holroyd Council: Recognising Worker Aug 28, 2009: Council has a comprehensive wellness program fully supported by Senior Management. It includes a mix of Council subsidised and user pays activities. Staff currently enjoy programs such as At Work Weight Watchers program which lasts 12 weeks each round, Tuesday lunchtime Yoga, Thursday lunchtime Touch Football and various lunch and learn sessions on healthy lifestyle such as the Cancer Council’s Measure Up Program.
USU EVENTS
