It pays to be united

Regional Organisation of Councils (ROC’s) are groups of neighbouring Councils in a region or area.
The member Councils of ROC’s have volunteered to work together on one or more common issues.
Almost all Councils in NSW belong to a ROC. All Councils in metropolitan Sydney belong to a ROC.
The latest Destination 2036 report outlines the O’Farrell Government’s plan to merge Councils into the ROC’s boundaries or hand services and jobs over to ROC’s.
If Councils are merged into the ROC boundaries it would mean a reduction from 152 Councils to 16 Council entities.
RISK: ROC Boundaries
This suggestion would create regional authorities which could replace the current council structure. Impacts on workers may include:
✗    Reduction in staff numbers;
✗    Loss of jobs through redundancy;
✗    Closure of Admin Buildings, Works depots and Council offices;
✗    Sharing of resources and services;
✗    Increased travel time and travel costs;
✗    Families forced to move from their homes to maintain their employment
RISK: Handing Services and Jobs Over to ROC’s
This suggestion would mean that ROC’s take over the services currently done by Council employees or that Council employees would be directly employed by ROC’s. Impacts on workers may include:
✗    Reduction in staff numbers;
✗    Loss of jobs through redundancy;
✗    Reduced employment conditions and wages;
✗    Sharing of resources and services;
✗    Outsourcing of services.
RISK: Reduced Employment Conditions and Wages
The minimum conditions and wages for Council workers in Local Government is the Local Government (State) Award.
ROCS believe they are in the Federal work place system. As a result they are not likely to recognise the Local Government (State) Award.
Workers would be covered by the Federal Modern Local Government Award which is far inferior to the Local Government (State) Award in conditions and wages.