Gympie council workers march as CFMEU, AWU ramp up pay fight

Gympie council services have been disrupted after 100 workers stormed off the job and marched down the main street, demanding more pay and objecting to preferential treatment of council ‘big wigs’. Here is the latest:

Simmering tensions from a prolonged pay battle between Gympie Regional Council and its workers boiled over on Wednesday morning when about 100 workers walked off the job and down Mary St shouting for a better deal.

CFMEU, Australian Workers Union and the Services Union members employed by the council walked off the job between 8am and 9am, first gathering in Memorial Park, bearing flags and banners, and then marching on the Town Hall.

Union representatives and workers blasted the council as they marched down Mary St, chanting “(Mayor) Glen Hartwig is full of s---” and “union power”.

They came to a halt outside Town Hall, which houses the offices of Mr Hartwig and acting CEO David Lewis, and called on Mr Hartwig to come out and speak with staff.

The walk off caused disruptions for residents across the region, with traffic halted down the main street during the march, the Bonnick Rd tip closed for the day and customer service delays at the council’s Channon St planning offices.

About 100 Gympie council workers walked off the job and marched down Mary St on Wednesday morning as long simmering tensions between the unions and the council’s management over a contentious pay battle finally boiled over.

Staff who walked off the job were locked out of council’s premises for the day.

CMFEU organiser Dean Mattas said the protest was the result of more than a dozen meetings achieving little.

“Our position is a two year deal of 5.5 per cent each year … we’ve factored in the cost of living (of 6.1 per cent CPI increase).”

“All we’re asking is a fair and reasonable outcome.”

The council had initially tabled a 1.5 per cent per year, three year offer before increasing that to 3.5 per cent.

Each offer was rejected by the unions and staff.

Staff had begun discussing whether to take industrial action in early July.

One worker, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the protesting staff were in the same boat as everyone else when it came to their financial situation.

“Rates have gone through the f------- roof, house payments don’t change, and fuel is beyond a joke,” one worker said.

“It’s all right for these big wigs here on their shiny a----.”

He said workers had been told they were not allowed to stop at the shops for food while out as it “holds up work”, and that the John St depot staff did not even have “somewhere to heat up food”.

This was in contrast to management being able to slip out to cafes in the CBD for snacks and meals.

“It’s one rule for some and one rule for others,” he said.

Members of the CFMEU, Australian Workers Union and Services Union gathered at Memorial Park between 8am and 9am before marching down Mary St and stopping at the town hall.

In a statement released by the council following the march, Mr Lewis said the protest was “disappointing” but workers were “well within their rights”.

He said the council was “committed” to resolving the pay dispute swiftly and that a tabled offer of 10.5 per cent across three years had been made back in December 2021.

“It is important to acknowledge this has been a protracted negotiation and I understand the frustrations which can occur from that,” Mr Lewis said.

Protesters chanted outside the town hall offices of Mayor Glen Hartwig and acting CEO David Lewis for 15 minutes.

“The Enterprise Bargaining negotiations are still continuing and its important, at this stage they run their course.

“It also needs to be acknowledged our council is predominantly funded by the rate payers of the region.

“While a fair wage for a fair day’s work is a value we hold closely, we must be mindful of the impact on the wider resident and ratepayer.

“I am confident these negotiations will be resolved in a way which achieves a balance between both.”

Mr Hartwig has been contacted for comment.