Revealed: council owes it lifeguards more than $600,000 in backpay

Hundreds of city lifeguards have been underpaid for years and the hefty amount they are owed has been revealed. See the eye-watering figure

Hundreds of city lifeguards have been underpaid for years and owed more than $600,000, it can be revealed.

More than 200 former and current lifeguards are impacted in the pay dispute which sparked union action in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.

The Bulletin understands the row was triggered by a decision from Gold Coast City Council in June 2019 to remove the payment of casual loading to beach lifeguards working overtime,

ordinary time on a weekend or on a public holiday.

veteran Gold Coast lifeguards, Peter Ball (sitting) and Anthony Lunney on duty. Picture: Jerad Williams

The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) filed a dispute on behalf of union members in the

Commission in February this year.

Union delegates argued that the casual loading should be paid and backpay provided to impacted lifeguards back to the date of the 2019 decision by Council.

The AWU says as part of these proceedings in September, the City admitted that it had incorrectly applied the casual loading.

The council then informed the union that it would be reinstating the casual loading and giving backpay to affected lifeguards back to the June 2019 date.

Surfer rescued by lifeguards from Stradbroke Island at the The Spit on the Gold Coast. (Photo/Steve Holland)

AWU Queensland Secretary Stacey Schinnerl said the union campaign has led to a big win for lifeguards on the Coast.

“Casual lifeguards do terrific work keeping the community safe at our beaches,

particularly over the summer holiday season – they deserve to be paid correctly,” Ms

Schinnerl said.

“Some of these lifeguards haven’t been paid properly in over three years, so getting

this backpay is a big win for them and their families as they enter the Christmas

period.

“This couldn’t have happened without the hard work of AWU members and delegates

across the Coast – if they hadn’t spoken up on this issue, it may not have ever been

resolved.”

Senior City of Gold Coast Lifeguard Rob Dorrough setting up the red and yellow flags at Surfers Paradise. Picture: Jerad Williams

In the past week the council has notified affected lifeguards of the amount

of backpay they would be receiving, with payments expected to begin lodging in their bank

accounts in the next two to three weeks.

The City spokesperson said: “The City is rectifying an administrative error from 2019 regarding our lifeguard services. We will be reimbursing all affected current and former staff in the coming weeks.”