Council negotiates CEO’s contract after union saga

Wollondilly Council has started contract negotiations with chief executive officer Luke Johnson, who is expected to leave the organisation.

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Wollondilly Council has started contract negotiations with chief executive officer Luke Johnson, who is expected to leave the organisation.

Mr Johnson has been on leave since late last year after a report into workplace bullying at the council was handed down by an independent investigator.

The report cleared the council of any wrongdoing but Mr Johnson drew criticism from the United Services Union and then mayor Judy Hannan for initially withholding the report.

Wollondilly Council general manager Luke Johnson.

He cited its confidential nature and said people interviewed in the report had a right to privacy.

A redacted version of the report was later released to the council and the union. It found no wrongdoing among council staff in relation to allegations of bullying.

A Wollondilly Council spokeswoman confirmed to the Macarthur Chronicle that negotiations between Mayor Matthew Deeth, on behalf of the council, and Mr Johnson had begun.

Wollondilly Council staff at a rally last year calling on the council to release an independent report into workplace bullying.

A further question about whether Mr Johnson was absent on entitled leave or if he was on unpaid leave went unanswered.

“Yes Mr Johnson is on leave,” the spokeswoman said.

Mr Johnson earns a total renumeration package of $353,129.20, according to Wollondilly Council’s 2017/2018 annual report.