Union slams Rous County Council’s plans to relocate all of its offices and depots
“The workers deserve a say in this decision”: Union joins criticism of Rous County Council’s plan to relocate its offices and depots.
Lismore
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A petition has been started that opposes the proposed closure of Rous County Council offices and depots on the Northern Rivers.
Earlier this month, councillors from Rous County Council confirmed it was looking for a location, rumoured to be Ballina, to amalgamate all of its offices and depots, in what was called a cost-saving measure.
However the decision drew criticism from both Lismore MP Janelle Saffin and Page MP Kevin Hogan, who both said it would take jobs out of Lismore and take services away from the most flood-affected town in the region.
Now, the United Services Union has weighed in on the issue, and has started a petition against the proposed changes.
The union said it was concerned about a plan to move the Rous County Council administration office and depot from Lismore to Ballina.
“This will see 80-plus jobs move out of Lismore, the geographical centre of the area covered by Rous’ operations,” the union said on the petition.
“The moving of these jobs out of Lismore means less money being spent in Lismore businesses, no coffees, no lunches no shopping in Lismore for groceries for dinner.
“This will be disastrous for the economy of Lismore which like most regional economies has been hit hard recently by bushfires, floods and the Covid-10 pandemic.
“Rous management and councillors must explain to the public what is going on and why this has been made behind closed doors without any consultation with the union and with the community.
“The workers at Rous County Council deserve a say in this decision and management must listen to how this will impact their home life with extra travel and the increased travel cost associated with the move.
“This decision must be reconsidered, looking at all options available, and allow the community to have their say.”
The petition can be found here.
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