Mackay council outdoor workers strike for better conditions, pay
But the CEO says giving outdoor workers a separate agreement would create division in the workplace.
Mackay
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Mackay outdoor council employees fed up with being outvoted in the workplace have held a strike to demand better pay and conditions.
Plumbing Union North Queensland organiser Jim White said about three-quarters of Mackay Regional Council’s outdoor workforce took part in the protest outside the Jubilee Centre in Alfred Street on Wednesday morning.
Just days out from Labour Day, there were about 150 workers in their high-vis shirts at the strike including Plumbing and Pipes Trade Union, Australian Workers Union and CFMEU members.
“The outdoor workers are requesting council to have their own certified agreement (to indoor workers),” Mr White said.
“When the time comes for a document to come to a vote, nine times out of 10 you’re usually outvoted by the indoor workforce so the outdoor workers get left behind.”
Mr White said indoor staff were generally paid “a lot more”, with outdoor workers seeking wage increases.
“At this stage, there (are) increases on the table, they’re getting close to where we need to be,” he said.
But Mackay Regional Council chief executive officer Michael Thomson said the council’s internal view was “very different” to that of workers taking part in the industrial action.
“We’ve been in discussion with various union representatives over the past 12 months in relation to the next (enterprise bargaining) agreement,” Mr Thomson said.
He said the outdoor workers’ “sticking point” of wanting their own agreement would divide the council when it was “trying to build one team”.
“We’ve had (the system) for the past 12 years,” Mr Thomson said.
“This two verse one agreement has come up in other councils as well, most recently in Isaac (Regional) Council, and they’re in the process of resolving it into the one agreement.
“We would very much like to be in that place as well.”
Mr Thomson said all council employees were given a 1 per cent administrative pay, with outdoor workers also given a $250 payment while discussions were ongoing.
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Originally published as Mackay council outdoor workers strike for better conditions, pay
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