Council meets with USU

Published on 20 August 2024

Kiama Council is aware of an approved United Services Union (USU) meeting held this morning on Council premises followed by industrial action with union members marching along the main street of Kiama.

USU officials then attended a meeting with Council’s CEO and members of the management team for a healthy, collaborative discussion where several issues were raised and resolutions identified and agreed.

Council CEO Jane Stroud said: “Constructive dispute resolution is always more advantageous and we would’ve preferred that the industrial action hadn’t been taken, however our workers and USU officials have every right to do this, and I’m pleased we could conduct a fruitful discussion with some immediately positive outcomes.”

The CEO confirmed the meeting had identified solutions to some significant legacy matters dating back several decades to 1994.

“Our people are our greatest asset and it’s of utmost importance we look after them and hear their views,” Ms Stroud said. “Workers’ rights and employee conditions are critical to the continued smooth operations of Kiama Council and its executive and management team.”

CEO Ms Stroud is a strong advocate of workplace relations and is happy and willing to meet regularly with unions to resolve any matters at hand.

The USU action focused on issues around allowances and a former rostering approach that has been corrected. Current concerns centre on employees impacted by the former rostering system, with appropriate remedial actions agreed upon.

“This was a good outcome for Council and for the USU and I hope we can continue to work together to discuss and resolve issues as they arise. A healthy workplace is never going to be without conflict, but the way it’s dealt with is what’s important and I’m pleased that we could talk this out productively,” said Ms Stroud.