No more strikes as council returns to negotiation table

A PAY dispute, affecting about 1700 local government staff, took a small step forward this week, when a two-tier wage proposal was unceremoniously ditched.

A PAY dispute affecting about 1700 staff at Logan City Council took a small step forward this week, when council ditched its two-tier wage proposal and unions called a halt to strike actions.

Union bosses address staff at Logan City Council during a strike in June. PHOTO: JUDITH KERR

Members of The Services Union, Transport Workers’ Union and Plumbers’ Union and Australia workers met with Council on Wednesday in a bid to find common ground over council’s four-year wage offer.

At the meeting, council management withdrew a wage plan, which the unions said would have resulted in a two-tier wage structure.

In August and June, the unions’ members went on strike over the proposed wage plan, which they said would result in all low-level administration staff being paid less than other staff.

Staff were also concerned they were not going to receive a real pay rise over 1 per cent.

All unions at Wednesday’s meeting agreed to withdraw industrial action and council also agreed to recommence certified agreement negotiations.

The unions also rejected cuts to salaries for staff re-employed after their initial positions were made redundant.

Jason Wiley at the Logan City Council strike in June.

Other union stipulations included provisions for those affected by severe weather and domestic violence.

Services Union secretary Neil Henderson said it was encouraging that council management had withdrawn its claim for two-tier wages but the union wage fight was not yet over.

“That came after they accepted our tabled argument that as there has been no realignment of wage relativities between indoor staff and trades employees, there is no basis for the notion that administrative levels 1-3 are being overpaid,” he said.

“As to the wage quantum, management expressed reluctance to back-pay any increase to earlier than July 1, this year.

“Equally of concern was management’s unwillingness to walk away from the proposed reduction of salary maintenance to 12 months for redeployees.

“However, with bargaining now back on track, all outstanding issues will be discussed further.”

The first meeting was held yesterday with no agreement reached. The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 19.

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