Toowoomba council: Indoor workers, Services Union members hold rally over EBA negotiations, want meeting with Brian Pidgeon

More than 100 council workers have stopped work again over a protracted pay dispute with the council, and are now demanding a meeting with the organisation’s chief executive. Watch the video here:

Toowoomba council workers and union representatives have demanded a meeting with chief executive Brian Pidgeon over protracted enterprise bargaining negotiations, with organisers saying they’d “lost faith” with the TRC.

More than 130 workers and organisers for The Services Union rallied on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday morning for more than two hours, chanting slogans and earning car horns from passing motorists.

The 700-strong indoor workforce is demanding a three-year pay rise package of eight, six and five per cent as well as commitments to close the demonstrated gender pay gap with the organisation.

The Services Union members and indoor Toowoomba Regional Council workers hold a rally outside City Hall to protest current protracted EBA negotiations.

It comes as data the Queensland Audit Office, compiled by the union, have suggested Toowoomba indoor council workers are among the lowest-paid among comparable local government areas.

The rally follows the first TSU protest on July 25, which saw similar numbers march as part of the first protected action of the current negotiation period.

TSU organiser John Denny said members voted to pen a letter to Mr Pidgeon to request a private meeting with delegates, saying workers had “lost faith” in the council’s negotiators.

The Services Union members and indoor Toowoomba Regional Council workers hold a rally outside City Hall to protest current protracted EBA negotiations. Council worker Jay Miller leads chants with the bullhorn.

Mr Denny said a meeting could prevent a full-day work stoppage, which he noted would lead to operational disruptions and hamper the council’s preparations ahead of September’s Carnival of Flowers tourism event.

“The reality is that we had the negotiation the following day after the industrial action, council refused to shift from the position unfortunately,” he said.

“We did pass a motion when the majority of our members were here this morning to seek a meeting with the CEO, so we’re happy to have a meeting with the CEO separately.

“Unfortunately, we’ve lost faith in the other current negotiators.

“We’ll seek a meeting with the CEO, hopefully he will meet with us and those discussions will be fruitful, but if not we will have to shift to protected industrial action again.”

The Services Union members and indoor Toowoomba Regional Council workers hold a rally outside City Hall to protest current protracted EBA negotiations. TSU organiser John Denny.

Mr Denny alleged the workers’ requested pay rise was still below what they believed was the required amount to counter the existing gender pay gap, both within the indoor workforce and when compared to the male-dominated outdoor teams.

“From the relativities perspective, a level 1.3 indoor employee here should be earning about $4500 a year more (against an outdoor worker of a comparable level),” he said.

In response to the demands, Mr Pidgeon said he would consider a meeting while re-affirming the TRC’s current offer was “fair and reasonable”.

“Council has proposed a six per cent increase to base wages in year one, five per cent in year two and four per cent in year three, which is consistent with council’s financial sustainability parameters,” he said.

“This equates to a 15.75 per cent cumulative increase in base pay across the three years of the agreement.

“Council is maintaining its position that this is a very fair and reasonable offer and is acceptable to the majority of employees and our ratepayers.

“If a meeting request is received, it will be considered.

“However, it may not be appropriate for the CEO to hold private meetings with a single union about a replacement certified agreement that has additional union parties.”

The next round of negotiations is expected to be held within the coming weeks.