Toowoomba Regional Council workers strike over pay, unions forecast possible impacts on Carnival of Flowers

In a letter penned by Toowoomba Regional Council CEO Brian Pidgeon, workers were told that any staff involved in industrial action would not be allowed to attend work.

AMWU representative Ricky Luke stands outside City Hall as part of workers' strike action against the Toowoomba Regional Council.

Toowoomba’s most lucrative tourism event could be impacted by the ongoing pay dispute between the council and its workers, with negotiations between the two parties hitting a new low.

More than 150 employees and union officials made their voices heard at the first major strike on Thursday outside City Hall, calling for the council to return to the negotiating table and work out a “fair deal”.

Along with sporting flags and uniforms, the workers from five major unions also erected a giant inflatable rat on the village green.

It comes as the council said service delivery could be affected by further protected industrial action, just days out from major events for Carnival of Flowers.

Unions are wanting a 2.5 per cent wage increase, new allowances for workers dealing with asbestos or high voltage and a maintained superannuation increase among other protections.

Transport Workers’ Union representative Geoffrey Green said the workers deserved what they thought was a fair pay increase.

Taking part in strike action against the Toowoomba Regional Council are 150 employees and organisers (from left) ETU's Dan McGaw, TWU's Geoffrey Green, CFMEU's Peter D'Arcy, AMWU's Ricky Luke and PPTEU's Kieron Cundy.

“We believe that the council workers are the backbone of the communities across the Toowoomba region – they’re out there maintaining the parks and gardens,” he said.

“It’s been over seven months and they’re not prepared to continue to negotiate.”

Electrical Trades Union organiser Dan McGaw said while workers wanted to avoid impacts on the community, he said further action was likely that could affect the carnival.

“We don’t want to impact Carnival of Flowers, but unless they listen, something is going to happen,” he said.

“We want to make sure the public isn’t impacted too much.”

AMWU representative Ricky Luke said action would end once the council came back with a better offer.

“These lads have a range of industrial actions and what they wanted to do is have short, sharp stoppages,” he said.

“What TRC has done is an employer adverse reaction — if we do a paperwork ban or we do an overtime ban or even take one hour, they’ll lock out all these workers for the whole day without pay.

“We want to get them back to the table and get a fair deal.”

An inflatable rat was erected outside city hall as unions and council employees take part in strike action against the Toowoomba Regional Council.

Workers received a letter from CEO Brian Pidgeon last month, saying any staff involved in industrial action would not be allowed to attend work on that day.

Mr Pidgeon confirmed this in a statement to The Chronicle, arguing the council had acted in good faith during negotiations and was ready to continue talks.

“Council has met with the combined unions on 11 separate occasions, including most recently on August 6, and remains ready and willing to continue negotiations in good faith to reach a positive outcome for all parties, within council’s financial constraints,” he said.

“Council’s offers are consistent with its budget and financial sustainability parameters.

“Any divergence from this approach would be financially irresponsible and negatively affect ratepayers through an increase to rates.

“Protected industrial action can result in workplace health and safety risks to employees and the public, and potentially could impede service delivery to our community.”

Mr Pidgeon said it was preparing for potential impacts on council’s operations and wouldn’t rule out it affecting the carnival.

“Council will consider and plan for any impacts on business continuity, especially around maintaining critical service delivery for the community and in instances where action might disrupt emergency responsiveness,” he said.

“Council has been completely transparent and consistent throughout the negotiation process.

“It is crucial that any agreement balances the best interests of council’s employees and also the community council represents, which ultimately funds the negotiated enhancement to pay and conditions.”