United magazine Winter 2016

U 

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nitednews 

United is the official journal of the NSW Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Airlines, Energy & Utilities Union • Winter 2016 

FIGHTING FOR 

FIVE 

AMALGAMATION 

USU CAMPAIGNS FOR 5 YEAR JOB PROTECTION

United is the official journal of the United Services Union 

Editor USU General Secretary Graeme Kelly. 

Print Post: 100007536 

To contribute to United please contact USU Manager 

Administration Monica Clavijo on (02) 9265 8211. 

Is democracy dead? 

EXECUTIVE 

President: Steve Birney 

Vice President: Glen McAtear 

General Secretary: Graeme Kelly 

Treasurer: Sharon Sewell 

Shane Clapham, Ross Crawford, Tony Dean, Larry 

Freeman, Katie Gillen, Shane Lummis, Stephen Mulholland, 

Amanda Pearce, Annamaria Saglimbeni, Brendan Scott, 

Bev Spearpoint, Katerina Tahija, David Walsh, Jeff Wearing, 

Chris Wellington, Russell Woods 

HEAD OFFICE 

Level 7, 321 Pitt St, Sydney, 2000 

Phone: 1300 136 604 • Fax: (02) 9261 2265 

Support Team: 1300 136 604 

Email: united@usu.org.au • Website: www.usu.org.au 

OFFICIALS 

Manager Administration and Finance: Monica Clavijo 

Manager Metropolitan: Steve Donley 

Manager Energy, Utilities & Private Sector: Darren Cameron 

(A/g) 

Training Officers: Narelle Rich/Paul Reid 

Assistant Industrial / Research Officer (Metro): Maria 

Nordenswan (M/L) 

Legal Special Projects Officer (Metro): Evan Cole 

Legal Special Projects Officer (Metro): Daniel Papps 

Metro Organisers: Jim Carter, Chris Gill, Sandie Morthen, 

Ben Thompson, Irene Nair, Holly Murrell, Kristy Harper, 

Shane Pinter (A/g) 

Energy, Utilities & Private Sector: Clare Raffan, Joel 

Conomos, Alan Sandow, Natalie Falvey, Brian Cameron (A/g) 

Recruitment Officer (EU&PS): Nick Herbert 

Support Team: Joanie Doleman, Jenny Chen (M/L), Thomas 

Russell, Karen Avery, Melissa Coros 

REGIONAL OFFICES 

Northern Branch 

Newcastle Office: 

cnr Lawson & Tudor Streets Hamilton 2303 

Ph: (02) 4962 1444 • Fax: (02) 4962 1758 

Manager North: Stephen Hughes 

Organisers: Paul Sansom, Luke Hutchinson, Andrew Ryals, 

Melissa Pond (Private Sector) 

Industrial Officer: Noel Martin 

Port Macquarie Office: 

1/157 Gordon Street 

Port Macquarie 2444 

Ph: (02) 6584 7787 

Fax: (02) 6584 6924 

Organiser: Damien Welsh 

New England Office: 

Shop 3, Girraween Centre 

4-12 Queen Elizabeth Drive 

Armidale 2350 

Ph: (02) 6771 4911 

Fax: (02) 6771 4911 

Organiser: Chris Preston 

Southern Branch 

Wollongong Office: 

Suites 1-3 100 Market Street Wollongong 2500 

Ph: (02) 4226 4784 • Fax: (02) 4227 6951 

Manager South: Gary Vann 

Organisers: Rudi Oppitz (Private Sector), Paul Wesley (LSL), 

Steven Vann, Stuart Geddes (A/g) 

Industrial Officer: Greg Golledge 

Central West Office: 

Shop 11-12 

142 William Street 

Bathurst 2795 

Ph: (02) 6334 4825 

Fax: (02) 6331 2834 

Organiser: Shane Reece 

Murray Office: 

Unit 2, 54-56 Fitzmaurice St 

Wagga Wagga 2650 

Ph: (02) 69317990 

Fax: (02) 6931 7271 

Organiser: Darren Wait, Jed Lawton 

Northern Office: 

Shop 2, Mid City Arcade 

57 Prince Street 

Grafton 

Ph: (02) 6643 5299 

Fax: (02) 6643 2799 

Organiser: Craig Chandler 

North Western Office: 

PO Box 1811 

2/46 Church Street 

Dubbo 2830 

Ph: (02) 6881 6766 

Fax: (02) 6881 6816 

Organiser: Jamie McKinnon 

Riverina Office: 

Suite 8 

165 Lachlan Street 

Hay 2711 

Ph: (02) 6993 1419 

Fax: (02) 6993 1419 

Organiser: Brian Harrington 

NATIONAL 

Assistant National Secretary: Greg McLean (LSL), Robert 

Potter (A/g) 

ONE THING WE CAN SAY FOR SURE 

- THE NSW GOVERNMENT CAUSED 

OUTRAGE AMONG COMMUNITIES 

RIGHT ACROSS NSW WHEN 

PREMIER MIKE BAIRD DISMISSED 

DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED 

COUNCILS, CREATED 19 NEW ONES 

AND INSTALLED ADMINISTRATORS 

UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2017. 

That’s right - 2017! The residents of 

those merged councils (many of 

them forcibly merged) have to wait 

16 months before they can have a say. 

Questions are being asked on many 

fronts. 

Why many councils in Coalition seats 

have been left “pending” until after the 

federal election? 

Why elections cannot be held 

sooner? 

Why the views of communities that 

clearly opposed amalgamations are 

being ignored? 

There has been some extreme 

reactions from communities – 

ranging from the sombre protests 

in Shellharbour about the death 

of democracy, to the residents of 

Gundagai turning their backs on 

the new administrator to the unruly 

behaviour witnessed in the Inner West. 

While violent protest is never 

supported, when people feel they 

have lost their democratic rights and 

THE RESIDENTS OF 

SHELLHARBOUR 

CERTAINLY THINK 

DEMOCRACY IS 

DEAD - ONE OF THE 

MANY PROTESTS 

HELD ACROSS NSW 

FOLLOWING THE 

PROCLAMATION TO 

DISSOLVE COUNCILS. 

USU PRESIDENT STEVE BIRNEY 

they see clear differences in treatment 

depending on whether you vote for the 

Coalition or Labor people get angry. 

NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley 

called for the government to move the 

elections forward to this September, 

but this request fell on deaf ears. 

Now we find that the so-called 

independent review of savings done 

by KPMG was not independent at all. 

KMPG has been involved in devising 

the merger proposals as early as July 

2015 – prior to the Baird government’s 

announcement about proceeding with 

forced amalgamations. 

Far from KPMG providing an 

“independent” review of the 

government’s financial claims, it’s now 

clear that it was KPMG that came up 

with those alleged savings in the first 

place. As Greens MP David Shoebridge 

said, “There was no independent 

review from KPMG, they were marking 

their own homework.” 

2 • United Winter 2016

We’re ready to fight 

WHERE DO I START? IT HAS BEEN 

QUITE A YEAR FOR USU MEMBERS 

BUT IF I NEED TO START ANYWHERE 

I COULD USE THE OLD SAYING 

“A PICTURE TELLS A THOUSAND 

WORDS”. 

On 12 May I was flanked by 

Christian Democrat Leader Rev 

Fred Nile and the Leader of the 

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party 

Robert Brown – united in opposition to 

forced amalgamations and not happy 

with the way the government appeared 

to have “cherry picked” the mergers, 

leaving out councils in tight coalition 

seats until after the federal election. 

Robert Brown laid down a challenge 

to Premier Baird: “You have put, 

shoulder to shoulder, the Christian 

Democratic Party and the Shooters, 

Fishers and Farmers Party – you can’t 

run your government without us Mike!” 

5 YEAR JOB PROTECTIONS 

Mr Brown and Rev Nile made it clear 

that they want to protect communities 

and jobs and services in local 

government. We have made it clear 

that we want to talk about how they 

can help protect jobs – by supporting 

our five year job protection campaign. 

Mike Baird says amalgamating 

councils is not about attacking jobs. I 

say to the Premier: “If amalgamation 

isn’t about attacking jobs, then let’s 

see the NSW government put up 5 year 

employment protections”. 

Our priority now is to protect jobs 

at merged councils and to protect 

wages and conditions by protecting 

the Local Government State Award. As 

Stephen Hughes outlines on pages 4-5 

we have been focussed on that from 

the beginning – making sure we were 

part of the process so our members’ 

interests were not overlooked. 

We are continuing that work, holding 

talks with opposition parties that 

control the Upper House – and with the 

Local Government Minister Paul Toole. 

However the attack on jobs does not 

stop in the local government sector. 

PROTECTING ENERGY SECTOR JOBS 

Our members at Essential Energy 

and Ausgrid are under pressure to 

vote for agreements that override 

their legislated 5 year job protections 

negotiated for them as part of the 

energy sell off. 

Our organisers and delegates have 

been working together to make sure 

members get the best deal possible. 

THANK YOU! 

In the meantime we have again seen 

NSW swamped by storms and excessive 

weather conditions causing damage 

right across the state. Our members in 

local government, energy and utilities 

are at the forefront of the clean up 

at this time and I thank them, as well 

as our members in the emergency 

control centres for their hard work and 

commitment at such a stressful time. 

On a personal note I wish to 

“IF AMALGAMATION 

ISN’T ABOUT 

ATTACKING JOBS, THEN 

LET’S SEE THE NSW 

GOVERNMENT PUT UP 

5 YEAR EMPLOYMENT 

PROTECTIONS.” 

Listen to Graeme Kelly discuss job 

protection: http://bit.ly/1XtaFBi 

congratulate Jim Montegue who is 

retiring after 51 years a USU member and 

32 years General Manager at Canterbury 

Council. Jim has been a great friend 

and mentor to me since I started at 

Canterbury Council many years ago. 

WINTER SLEEPOUT 

I also wish to let members know that 

this year, in addition to joining the 

metro organisers and delegates in 

the Mission Australia Winter sleepout 

in August I am also taking part in the 

Vinnies CEO sleepout on 23 June. 

The plight of the homeless in our 

society is getting worse with more than 

105,000 Australians experiencing 

homelessness on any given night of the 

year. I would like to see politicians from 

all parties at all levels commit more to 

this increasing problem. If you can give 

a bit – or take part, I urge you to do so. 

FACEBOOK 

Finally – the union is stepping up our 

activity in the social media world – 

help us spread the word. Visit us at 

facebook.com/UnitedServicesUnion 

Graeme Kelly, USU General Secretary 

United Winter 2016 • 3

AMALGAMATIONS: USU REA 

FOLLOWING THE MAY 12 ANNOUNCEMENTS ON COUNCIL AMALGAMATIONS MANY PEOPLE ARE AT BEST ANXIOUS, 

AND AT WORST, SCARED OF CHANGE. USU MANAGER NORTH STEPHEN HUGHES EXPLAINS HOW THE USU HAS BEEN 

HARD AT WORK TO ENSURE WE ARE IN A STRONG POSITION TO FIGHT FOR MEMBERS’ JOBS AND CONDITIONS. 

ALISON RAHILL, UNIONS NSW; RAFFAELE 

CATANZARITI, USU DELEGATE; PAUL REID, USU 

OFFICIAL AND ANNA WATSON MP SHELLHARBOUR 

USU OFFICIALS RUDI OPPITZ, 

CHRIS GILL AND JOEL CONOMOS 

Over the past few years since 

the state coalition government 

was elected, we have seen the 

new Government act very quickly in 

commencing its major reforms to 

NSW Local Government under the 

Destination 2036 strategy. 

Then with the change of Premier and 

the departure of Barry O’Farrell, we 

saw the appointment of a new Local 

Government Minister, Paul Toole, to 

replace the previous Minister, Don Page. 

The Baird Government greatly 

accelerated its planned reforms and 

replaced the Destination 2036 Strategy 

with its new Fit for the Future Strategy. 

It is at this point that much of the 

earlier work done by the various 

working parties and the Independent 

Local Government Review Panel, was 

significantly altered, or sidelined. 

Several staffing changes have 

occurred to the position of CEO of the 

Office of Local Government, as well 

as almost a completely new group 

of Ministerial Staffers and Officers 

appointed by the Government to 

facilitate change. 

Fortunately the United Services Union 

has been a constant participant in the 

process from day one. 

We have attended hundreds of 

meetings across the state, reviewed 

and written numerous submissions 

and have built a working relationship 

with the main participants, being the 

Office of Local Government, and the 

Minister Paul Toole, as we did with his 

predecessor Minister Don Page. 

We have participated on the industry 

working parties, including the peak 

committee (the Ministerial Advisory 

Group). 

AS A RESULT, WE ARE WELL 

RESPECTED BY THE MAJOR STAKE 

HOLDERS AND HAVE BEEN ABLE 

TO ENSURE THAT THE JOBS AND 

CONDITIONS OF OUR MEMBERS 

HAVE BEEN PROTECTED. 

We have worked positively with 

the Minister wherever possible, while 

building and maintaining a strong 

working relationship with the Labor 

Opposition and Cross Benches, 

including the Shooters Fishers and 

Farmers Party, the Christian Democrats 

and the Greens. 

We have placed the best interests 

of our members ahead of historical 

political alliances, as we recognise that 

our members must always come first. 

While the recent proclamations 

which merged numerous Councils has 

occurred, with more to follow after 

legal challenges, eventually all Councils 

will become part of the reform process; 

if not by amalgamation, they will 

become a member of Joint Regional 

Organisations and in the far west of 

NSW, 11 Councils will be legislated into 

a yet to be determined collaborative 

model. 

STRONG EMPLOYMENT 

PROTECTIONS 

Our members should not feel anxious 

or threatened, as we have strong 

employment protections which 

guarantee no forced redundancies 

for a period of at least 3 years from 

proclamation, although we are hopeful 

of having this extended to 5 years. 

The conditions and salaries of our 

members are protected, and members 

cannot be forcibly transferred to 

another location where they will be 

unreasonably affected. 

If you are unsure of your rights in 

an amalgamated Council you should 

speak to your Union. 

continues page 5 


DY TO PROTECT MEMBERS 

FIGHTING FOR 5: 

GRAEME KELLY AND THE MEMBERS AT 

CANTERBURY COUNCIL TOOK TIME OUT 

FROM JIM MONTEGUE’S FAREWELL BBQ TO 

SUPPORT THE FIGHTING FOR 5 CAMPAIGN. 

Members at (former) 

Canterbury Council have 5 year 

job protections - negotiated before 

the proclamation to merge with 

Bankstown Council. Bankstown 

members are still on 3 year 

protections - let’s fix this inequity. 

Join the fight for 5 years job 

protection for all! 

While the protections under Section 

354 of the Local Government Act apply 

to all non Senior (award level) staff, 

there will no doubt be attempts by 

some Council Managers and HR to 

circumvent some of the protections for 

some staff. 

STRONG ADVOCATE BY YOUR SIDE 

Union members will have a strong 

advocate to ensure that all Councils 

comply with the protections for our 

members, but who will stand up for 

those who are not Union members? 

It certainly will not be those 

Management and/or Human Resources 

staff, who may seek to circumvent 

some of the protections. 

JRO STAFF PROTECTED 

The USU has also obtained Minister 

Paul Toole’s support and commitment 

to have the NSW Local Government 

State Award apply to Staff who will 

work for Joint Regional Organisations. 

This is a huge win for our members, 

as the creation of JRO’s could have 

placed staff who are employed or 

who are transferred to them from any 

Council, under the very inferior Federal 

Modern Award conditions. 

For those members in amalgamated 

Councils, we will be working with 

your delegates to ensure that we 

negotiate the best possible outcome 

in eventually merging Salary Systems 

and for our members to be given the 

best opportunities to laterally transfer 

into positions when new organisational 

structures are created, and new 

position descriptions are finalised. 

There has never been a more relevant 

time to be a member of the USU. 

LET’S FACE THIS TOGETHER 

Change is coming and it is best faced 

as a strong and united collective, not 

as an individual, lacking the knowledge 

and support of a Union. 

The USU has senior staff, including 

the General Secretary Graeme Kelly 

and other officials, who have been 

through this process in 2004 and much 

earlier. 

We are confident that we are more 

than ready to meet the challenges 

ahead on behalf of our members. 

PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ON 

TO ANY NON-MEMBERS BEFORE 

IT’S TOO LATE. 

IF YOUR COUNCIL HAS BEEN 

AMALGAMATED OR EFFECTED 

BY A BOUNDARY CHANGE: 

Your pay will not change; 

Your conditions will not 

change; 

You cannot be forcibly made 

redundant for 3 years; 

You will have first preference 

in applying for new roles in 

Council; 

There are limits on Council’s 

ability to change your work 

location. 

These are all protections that the 

USU fought for, and won, for our 

members in the Local Government 

Act and the Local Government 

(State) Award. 

We are continuing this fight, and 

have gained the support of the 

Labor Party, Shooters Fishers and 

Farmers Party, The Greens, and the 

Christian Democratic Party in our 

campaign to extend protections 

against forced redundancy to 5 

years for merged Councils. 

* Some protections do not apply to employees on ‘senior staff contracts’ 


FIGHTING FOR 

In key campaigns across the Energy and Utilities division job sec 

Job security number one for Ausgrid members 

DELEGATES FROM THE COMBINED ENERGY UNIONS ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO ENSURE A BETTER DEAL FOR ALL. 

When delegates met recently the 

overwhelming feeling was that 

the unions need alternatives 

to balance Ausgrid’s consistently stated 

problem of a number of unfunded roles, 

against our membership’s consistently 

stated priority of job security. Delegates 

resolved: 

“That the meeting of combined union 

delegates note the progress made 

in negotiations as evidenced by the 

current tabled offer from Ausgrid. The 

combined union delegates instruct the 

officials to establish a subcommittee 

comprising 7 delegates and officials to 

develop a proposal for a wage freeze 

as part of an alternative position which 

complements redundancies”. 

Ausgrid immediately rejected this 

option and sent out communications 

to staff rejecting the concept of an 

Riverina Water members unite for a fairer deal 

MEMBERS AT RIVERINA WATER COMMENCED THEIR NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW AWARD IN NOVEMBER 2015. 

The Union carried out a survey 

of our members to make sure 

negotiations reflected their 

priorities. The Union then completed 

a log of claims from the Survey results 

and the log of claims has been served 

on Management. 

Several meetings have been 

conducted with management, and 

progress to reach an Agreement has 

been slow. 

Management initially proposed 

considerable changes to the existing 

Award, with minimal wage increases 

THE LEGISLATION PASSED 

BY THE NSW PARLIAMENT 

LAST YEAR PROVIDES FOR 

5 YEAR JOB GUARANTEES. 

alternative proposition blaming “the 

unions” for rejecting the offer. 

Ausgrid’s true motivation throughout 

this negotiation is now exposed – not 

to solve their funding problem but 

to institute a mechanism in your 

agreement for forcing people out 

the door in order to facilitate a sale to a 

private operator. 

Let’s be absolutely clear, the 

legislation passed by the NSW 

parliament last year provides for 5 year 

job guarantees from 1 July 2015: 

There are to be no forced 

redundancies of continuing employees 

which has been overwhelmingly 

rejected by USU members. 

At a meeting of members held 

on the 11th May members voiced 

their dissatisfaction with the slow 

progress of these negotiations and 

were not happy that management 

were attempting to remove or reduce 

existing entitlements. As we head to 

print members have agreed to see 

the results from the next negotiating 

meeting on the 7th June, but have 

warned that should this meeting not 

produce significant progress towards 

during the employment guarantee 

period, except by agreement between 

the affected employees (or a person 

authorised to act on their behalf or on 

behalf of a majority of them) and the 

employer, or in accordance with the Fair 

Work Act 2009 of the Commonwealth. 

What Ausgrid is essentially saying to 

you all is; “Vote up our proposal, trade 

away your legislated job guarantees to 

allow Ausgrid and a new owner to force 

as many people out the door as we like”. 

The message from the delegates 

could not have been clearer. There is 

no support for an agreement which 

allows an effectively unlimited 

forced redundancy policy to be 

implemented. Now that Ausgrid has 

rejected the option of a compromise 

members need to be prepared to stand 

together and fight for job security. 

reaching agreement, members will 

consider taking whatever action is 

necessary to bring these negotiations 

to a satisfactory conclusion. 

Our members are looking to achieve 

a new Award without any reductions to 

their entitlements and conditions, and 

strongly believe that along with a fair 

wage increase, this can be achieved. 

USU members are ensuring that their 

current strong Union membership, 

which has achieved great results in the 

past, is maintained by talking to new 

employees about joining the USU. 


JOB SECURITY 

urity is the number one concern for the union and our members. 

87% OF ESSENTIAL ENERGY 

WORKERS REJECT MANAGEMENT DEAL 

Essential Energy workers have 

overwhelmingly rejected 

management’s proposed 

agreement with 87 per cent voting NO. 

Final voting figures show that from 

a total of 2,697 eligible employees 

voting a massive 2,347 employees (87 

per cent) voted against the proposed 

Agreement and only 350 employees (13 

per cent) voted in favour. 

This is a massive show of solidarity 

and the USU congratulates delegates 

from the combined unions for their 

hard work in making sure the message 

got across to members and nonmembers 

about what was at stake. 

If this management- initiated ballot 

had been successful it would have 

resulted in a cut to real wages and 

massive regional job losses. 

The management proposal offered 

a single 2.5 per cent pay increase 

over three years in return for workers 

agreeing to allow potentially unlimited 

redundancies, along with cuts to 

employment conditions, reduced 

consultation over future changes, and 

cuts to take home pay. 

The ballot was a last ditch effort 

by management to avoid having the 

Fair Work Commission determine the 

outcome of the long running dispute. 

Only the week before the ballot, the 

Fair Work Commission triggered a 21 

day bargaining period to be followed by 

automatic arbitration if no agreement is 

reached between the company and its 

employees. 

In a show of solidarity 

workers saw through 

Essential’s weasel 

words and voted no 

to their dud deal. 

CHECK FOR UPDATES AT WWW.USU.ORG.AU 

We welcomed that decision as it 

allowed for independent assessment 

of the case by the industrial umpire 

which would then hand down a binding 

decision. 

However after refusing to budge for 

18 months, management decided to 

have one final crack at getting their 

anti -worker agenda in the form of a 

management initiated ballot. 

“We urged our members to make sure 

that they vote, that they vote no, and 

that they encourage their colleagues to 

do the same. An 87 per cent no vote is a 

great result and credit to the delegates 

and members,” USU general secretary 

Graeme Kelly said. 

“Over 18 months of negotiations, 

Essential Energy management refused 

to budge on their determination to 

slash hundreds of regional jobs and 

cut conditions that were fought for and 

won by previous generations, now they 

will be forced to accept the arbitrated 

decision of the Fair Work Commission.” 

THE REJECTED MANAGEMENT 

AGREEMENT INCLUDED: 

✗ Implementation of forced 

redundancies; 

✗ Financial penalties for workers 

who are made forcibly redundant 

after refusing to accept a voluntary 

redundancy; 

✗ Any employee who is made 

redundant is banned from being reemployed 

in an alternate position at 

the company for a period of 2 years; 

✗ The three year agreement only 

provides workers with a single, 2.5 

per cent pay increase; 

✗ Cuts to conditions and entitlements 

will reduce take home pay; 

✗ Changes to consultation clauses; 

✗ Removal of the “status quo” 

provision; and 

✗ Minimum payment for being recalled 

to work outside of rostered hours 

halved. 


JOIN OUR 

COMMUNITY 

Delegates Ready for the “Future” 

Spreading the message to members 

and the community is a number one 

priority for the USU. 

We know the power that working 

together delivers. 

We also know how important it is to 

work with the community. 

Be part of that message – like us 

on Facebook and join the USU 

facebook community. 

LIKE US TODAY 

www.facebook.com/ 

UnitedServicesUnion 

WITH THE FIT FOR THE FUTURE 

PROCESS INDICATING AN EASTERN 

SUBURBS AMALGAMATION WAS 

LIKELY, DELEGATES FROM WOOLLAHRA, 

WAVERLEY AND RANDWICK COUNCILS 

CAME TOGETHER WITH THEIR 

ORGANISER BEN THOMPSON TO GET 

READY FOR THE FUTURE. 

The day consisted of training and 

planning and getting ready to 

assist members in all aspects of 

the amalgamation process. 

All delegates got the opportunity 

to meet each other, and start to work 

together. It was a clear example of 

the wide variety of careers in Local 

Government with Delegates covering 

varied areas from Libraries, Regulatory, 

Garbos, Mechanics to Customer 

Service. We really do have Local 

Government covered! 

Delegates heard from General 

Secretary Graeme Kelly, who 

commended the delegates for their 

GRAEME KELLY 

COMMENDED THE 

DELEGATES FOR THEIR 

DEDICATION AND WORK 

ON THE GROUND. 

dedication and work on the ground 

to support members through 

this period of change. During the 

day there was training on the 

Local Government Act, the Local 

Government Award, Enterprise 

Agreements and how to support 

members with Amalgamation issues. 

All who attended on the day 

resolved to work together and ensure 

that members are front and centre of 

the process, and members’ rights are 

enforced and not forgotten. The USU 

has a history of being proactive, and 

the Union thanks our delegates for 

their dedication and support. 

UNITED WORKS! 

During recent stalled negotiations for a nine day fortnight 

at Botany Council, outdoor workers took collective action 

to make their voices heard. Members were frustrated that 

after two years they still did not have a nine day fortnight. 

Members organised a rally opposite Council Chambers, and 

demonstrated together that they were strong and united, and 

that they wanted to be listened to and treated with respect. 

Organiser Ben Thompson worked with the Delegates to put 

forward the views of members. 

Following this, negotiations were concluded for outdoor staff 

to have an immediate commencement of a trial of a nine day 

fortnight. The delegates and members of Botany have shown 

that standing together, campaigning together and being 

united works. The Union is strong when our members 

are strong, and Botany USU members should take pride 

in their accomplishments. 


Members reinstated after tough fight 

OVER THE PAST 10 MONTHS THE 

USU HAS BEEN RUNNING A DISPUTE 

WITH LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL 

OVER THE TERMINATION OF 

EMPLOYEES IN WASTE SERVICES 

LAST SEPTEMBER. 

After a 5 day hearing between the 

USU and Council’s Barrister, the 

Industrial Relations Commission 

ruled that Council had unfairly 

dismissed three employees, ordering 

that those employees be reinstated on 

27 June 2016. 

This is a fantastic result and shows 

what can be accomplished when 

workers stick together and act 

collectively. 

Special thanks goes to the members 

who were directly affected by the 

decision who stood strong and 

together during an extremely difficult 

time, and to the USU’s Liverpool 

Organiser Sandie Morthen and all the 

United action delivers on services 

IN MARCH, WAVERLEY COUNCIL 

OUTDOOR MEMBERS VOTED 

UNANIMOUSLY TO TAKE INDUSTRIAL 

ACTION AFTER A LONG CAMPAIGN 

TO PROTECT JOB SECURITY AND 

COUNCIL SERVICES. 

Members were concerned 

at the deletion of positions 

from Council’s organisational 

structure in breach of the Local 

Government Act and the Local 

Government Award. Alarmingly, this 

included positions in the Council’s 

Disability Services department where 

there is now no permanent employees 

apart from the Manager. 

Members demanded fair recruitment 

processes, the reinstatement of 

missing positions, vacant positions 

to be filled and an end to the use of 

contract, casual and temporary labour. 

Delegates who worked tirelessly over 

the past several months to return these 

members to work. 

What this decision shows is that 

Council will be held accountable for 

the way it treats its staff, but this will 

only occur when there is a strong, 

unified, and active group of workers at 

Liverpool City Council. 

In the coming months the USU’s 

sights will turn towards Council’s 

recently announced draft budget. 

The budget includes the following 

provisions: 

✘ 

✘ 

✘ 

$500,000 to outsource the 

cleaners 

$1.2 million in staff efficiencies 

in the outdoor workforce. The 

only way this can be achieved is 

by cutting either staff or working 

conditions. 

A further $800,000 in efficiency 

savings. 

WAVERLEY COUNCIL 

DELEGATES STAND STRONG 

Members took action not for their own 

personal gain, but for the community 

and to ensure that jobs and services 

are protected. 

After negotiations from the Delegates 

and Organiser Ben Thompson, the 

industrial action was ended, and 

members returned to work. Important 

outcomes were achieved including 

the reinstatement of positions, 

and accelerated and immediate 

recruitment of vacant positions. This 

could only have been achieved by the 

BREAKING NEWS 

As with the recent unfair dismissal 

decision, this budget can be defeated, 

but this can only occur through 

collective USU action. 

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD BY: 

Attending a rally prior to the next 

 

Council meeting at 5:30pm on 29 

June 2016; 

 

 

 

If you are a local resident of 

Liverpool City Council please 

comment on the draft budget 

If you know any local residents of 

Liverpool City Council please talk 

to them about Council’s proposed 

cuts to essential services and 

encourage them to comment on 

the draft budget 

If you’re not already a member, 

join the USU today and become 

part of the movement to improve 

conditions for all workers at 

Liverpool City Council. 

support of members who unanimously 

voted to support the action proposed 

by the waste members when they 

commenced their shift. 

Our members care about the 

community and care about the services 

Council provides. When it comes to 

areas like Disability services getting a 

fair go, members did not falter in their 

support. Congratulations to the USU 

Delegate team and members for their 

care, commitment and their support of 

the local community! 


Budget 2016: Winners & Losers 

JUST DAYS BEFORE IT DISSOLVED 

BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT 

AND CALLED AN ELECTION THE 

TURNBULL GOVERNMENT BROUGHT 

DOWN A BUDGET THAT SEES 

THE WEALTHIEST ONE PERCENT 

OF AUSTRALIAN HOUSEHOLDS 

CELEBRATING. 

However, according to the ACTU, 

the budget fosters a lethal 

trifecta if you fall within the 75 

per cent of households earning less 

than $80,000 per year. 

It means underfunding for schools, 

cuts to hospital budgets and triples the 

budget deficit. 

The budget, which includes 

proposed cuts to income tax and a new 

work-for-the-dole scheme, will see 

the deficit figure blow out $3.4 billion 

to $37.1 billion next financial year, and 

remain in the red for four years. 

High-income earners are the main 

beneficiaries under the tax cuts with 70 

per cent of taxpayers gaining nothing 

from the shift in the point at which 

people begin paying 37 cents in the 

dollar tax. 

ACTU President Ged Kearney says 

USU gives a Gonski. 

Our kids matter! Out in support of the campaign to ensure our students are provided the 

funding needed for the best education possible. From left to right in front row Sharon 

Bird MP, Anna Watson MP, USU Southern Manager Gary Vann, Senator Jenny McAlister, 

Fiona Phillips Labor candidate for Gilmore, Stephen Jones MP, Tanya Plibersek MP. 

working Australians are being ignored. 

“The Turnbull Government delivered 

a golden handshake to $100 million 

corporations and the top one per 

cent of income earners,” Ms Kearney 

warned, saying the budget also fails 

to offer a clear economic vision to 

generate jobs growth. 

“The Government has failed to 

provide a credible jobs plan at a time 

when we have unemployment still 

higher than pre-GFC levels and two 

million people are underemployed or 

EDUCATION 

CUTS 

unemployed,” she says. “A corporate 

tax cut is not a jobs plan.” 

Leading economic experts agree. 

All the benefits go to people in the 

top 30 per cent of income earners, 

says Richard Dennis, chief economist 

at the Australia Institute. 

Ms Kearney also criticised the lack of 

commitment on youth issues. 

“This budget provides breadcrumbs 

for youth unemployment now in double 

digit figures – 12 per cent nationally 

and above 15 per cent in some local 

communities like the NSW Central 

Coast, parts of south-west Sydney, 

Townsville and all of South Australia.” 

The ACTU points out $128 billion can 

be saved over the next decade. 

Ending multinational tax avoidance, 

cutting generous tax deductions for 

the well-off, and introducing a flat 

minimum income tax rate for the most 

wealthy to ensure they pay at least 

some income tax are just some of the 

solutions offered in the ACTU’s recent 

economic plan. 

“Tax evasion by big corporations 

plus tax loopholes that advantage the 

super-wealthy are fuelling inequality 

and costing our country billions,” says 

Ms Kearney. 


USU New Gen celebrates 

apprentices & mentors 

IN 2016 THE USU WILL AGAIN 

BE PRESENTING TWO SPECIAL 

AWARDS AT OUR CONFERENCE. 

These awards are to promote 

ongoing “New Gen Committee” 

campaigns in increasing 

apprentice/traineeships across 

the USU industries. Winners will be 

recognised with a trophy as well 

as their names being added to our 

perpetual trophy in recognition of their 

great work. 

The USU New Gen Committee is 

comprised of young and energetic 

workers throughout the vast USU 

branch network, who are continually 

raising the awareness and importance 

of younger generations being active in 

their Union and the workplace. 

In recognition of the importance of 

apprentices in the workforce the USU 

New Gen committee will be awarding a 

USU member, currently undertaking a 

workplace apprentice/traineeship, with 

Unions warn that the PaTH internship program unveiled 

in the federal budget not only poses a serious risk for 

young people and inexperienced workers, but could 

also undermine Australia’s entire wage system. 

Instead of employing a worker on the minimum wage, 

businesses would be able to access a pool of free labour as 

part of a taxpayer funded young worker exploitation scheme. 

While many employers will do the right thing, the PaTH 

internship program is ripe for abuse, creating a perverse 

incentive for business to churn through disadvantaged 

young job seekers every twelve weeks. 

After two years of cuts totaling $2.5 billion, including a 

$1 billion cut to apprentices and apprenticeship support, 

the Liberals have axed another $247 million from skills and 

training and failed to introduce any new initiatives to help 

people access quality jobs and long-term careers. 

a special recognition award in 2016. 

In recognition of the work done by 

their mentors we will also be awarding 

a USU member who actively engages 

with workers, creates harmony in 

their team environment and has an 

awareness of issues that affect all 

workers, with an Award too. 

The USU New Gen committee 

proudly sponsors this award and 

welcomes nominations. 

Members can nominate an 

apprentice/trainee or mentor by 

visiting our website and downloading a 

nomination form. Nominations close at 

5pm Friday 5th August 2016 and can be 

submitted to: 

Email: lhutchinson@usu.org.au 

Fax: (02) 4962 1758 

Mail: PO BOX 47 

HAMILTON NSW 2303 

Forms can be downloaded at: www. 

usu.org.au/newgenaward 

Find out more about the NEW GEN 

committee here: 

www.usu.org.au/services/ 

new-gen-committee 

NEW 

GEN 

...meanwhile $4 jobs are a PaTH to nowhere 


It’s about the fight for b 

AS WE HEAD TOWARDS THE ELECTION FOLLOWING THE LONGEST CAMPAIGN IN HISTORY IT’S IMPORTANT 

NOT TO LOSE FOCUS ON WHAT STARTED IT ALL AND WHY MALCOLM TURNBULL DISSOLVED BOTH HOUSES OF 

PARLIAMENT AND CALLED AN ELECTION. 

Basically the trigger was about 

working rights. In a bid to pass 

laws designed to restore the 

Australian Building and Construction 

Commission, Mr Turnbull put forward 

legislation that he knew would force 

the election. Four of the eight Senate 

crossbenchers - Jacqui Lambie, Glenn 

Lazarus, Ricky Muir and John Madigan 

- stared down Mr Turnbull’s threat of a 

double dissolution poll, even at the risk 

of their own seats. 

The government was defeated in 

a 36-34 vote, allowing Mr Turnbull 

to make the trip to the Governor 

General and dissolve both houses of 

Parliament. 

This is pretty extreme action but then 

again the Turnbull/Abbott government 

has been pretty extreme when it comes 

to workers’ rights at work. 

THE ATTACK HAS BEEN THREEFOLD: 

1. Trying to force the Fair Work 

Amendment (remaining 2014 

measures) Bill and the Fair Work 

Amendment (Bargaining Processes) 

Bill through the Senate. 

2. Using the Productivity Commission 

report to attack conditions such as 

Penalty Rates. 

3. A direct attack on unions - 

proposing two sets of draconian 

laws in response to the Trade 

Union Royal Commission 

recommendations. 

So let’s take a quick look at what this 

could mean for working Australians. 

1. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE 

FAIR WORK ACT: 

CUT PAY FROM WORKERS WHEN THEY 

LEAVE THEIR JOB 

When someone leaves their job they 

will not be paid annual leave loading 

on any untaken annual leave. This will 

also affect all workers who receive 

shift allowances, other allowances or 

loadings as part of their regular take 

home pay. 

STRENGTHEN INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS 

(so-called “Individual Flexibility 

Arrangements” or IFAs) that can cut 

take home pay, allowing contracts 

that: trade off rights such as penalty 

rates for non-monetary benefits 

such as pizza; make it harder for 

workers to cancel these agreements 

by extending the notice period to 13 

weeks; stop workers from recovering 

underpayments and stop employers 

being sued if it gets a worker to sign a 

statement saying the contract “meets 

their needs”. These attacks will have 


USU GENERAL SECRETARY GRAEME KELLY AND SENATOR DEB O’NEILL ALONG WITH USU MEMBERS AND OFFICIALS 

JOINED UNION MEMBERS FROM ACROSS AUSTRALIA AT THE JOBS EMBASSY OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT HOUSE. 

etter jobs and a fair go 

most impact on young workers. 

ALLOW EMPLOYERS TO RESTRUCTURE 

THEIR BUSINESS TO TAKE AWAY WORKERS’ 

RIGHTS 

This means an employer can move 

jobs to another company they own 

and tell the workers they can either 

lose their job or accept a job with 

the new company on less pay and 

worse conditions because the Award 

minimum would be all that applies. 

MAKE IT HARDER FOR WORKERS TO GET 

SUPPORT AT WORK, RESTRICTING A UNION 

ENTERING A WORKPLACE 

The employer can determine where 

discussions take place. Further, the 

Commission can restrict or prevent 

visits by all unions if they consider just 

one union has visited too often. 

MAKING IT HARDER TO TAKE PROTECTED 

INDUSTRIAL ACTION 

Workers will not even be able to get a 

ballot for protected action if just one of 

their claims is considered “excessive” 

or if it would have “significant 

adverse impact on productivity at the 

workplace”. This will allow employers 

to drag out legal proceedings to delay 

or stop workers even having a vote on 

protected action. 

2. THE PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

The Liberals’ Productivity Commission 

report into workplace relations has 

called for cutting penalty rates and 

limiting the minimum wage, making 

it easier to sack people and giving 

employers even more power over the 

lives of working people. 

In response to serious campaign 

pressure from union members across 

Australia, the Coalition has been 

reluctant to formally back these 

recommendations, yet. But there is 

a long and growing list of Coalition 

MPs calling for these changes, and 

especially for penalty rates to be cut. 

This includes Malcolm Turnbull and 

Employment Minister Michaelia Cash. 

3. THE ATTACK ON UNIONS 

The Turnbull Government is proposing 

two sets of draconian laws in response 

to the Trade Union Royal Commission 

recommendations. These sets of laws 

are designed to make it harder for unions 

to campaign to protect workers’ rights. 

They are also part of the Liberals’ 

plan to undermine the credibility of the 

union movement by pretending there is 

a big corruption problem. 

WHAT DO WE WANT? 

Our rights at work are fundamental 

to our living standards and our way of 

life. Without them employers will have 

all the power to impose lower pay and 

less job security for working people. 

Generations of union members have 

fought for our current rights at work. 

It’s up to us to again defend them for 

future generations. We want our rights 

at work and penalty rates protected. 


CELEBRATING MAY DAY 

SYDNEY MAY DAY 2016 WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MARCHES YET AND THE USU WAS PROUD TO BE PART OF 

THE CELEBRATION OF WORKERS’ RIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS AND MARCH WITH UNIONS, WORKERS AND THEIR 

FAMILIES ON SUNDAY, 1 MAY 2016. MARCHES WERE HELD ACROSS AUSTRALIA AND THE USU WAS OUT IN FORCE! 

SYDNEY 

SOUTH COAST 

JOHN HICKSON, CRAIG CHANDLER AND 

JANELLE SAFFIN ALP CANDIDATE FOR PAGE 

GRAFTON 


No progress yet on Qantas EBA 11 

THINGS ARE MOVING AT A GLACIAL PACE – PROBABLY EXPECTED WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT QANTAS IS ALL 

ABOUT A WAGE FREEZE. 

As we head to print, Qantas has 

not accepted any of our claims 

and seems unwilling at the 

moment to negotiate on anything. Here 

is a snapshot of discussions to date: 

JOB SECURITY & QGS 

We know that job security is one of 

our key claims and despite trying to 

get a commitment from the company 

about the unions’ key job security 

claims around QGS etc, Qantas will not 

say whether there is any intention to 

continue the current QGS agreements 

beyond 30th September. 

Worryingly too, the negotiating team 

proposed a change to the classification 

structure to confirm the fact that at 

airports members are doing the rear 

stair boarding work but Qantas says 

they refuse to change the classification 

structure. 

They don’t have any explanation for 

why – just that they won’t. 

SPG’S – FIXING THE SYSTEM 

The negotiating team has had two 

discussions on the SPG wage structure 

Our Qantas Holidays 

members are ready to 

start negotiations on 

their new EBA. 

Following a survey of 

members to determine 

their priorities, a Log 

of Claims has been 

prepared and the team 

is ready to bargain! 

and have another planned. Members 

have told us that there are problems 

with the current way in which 

performance is measured and we are 

talking in depth with the company 

about what needs to change. 

FAMILY VIOLENCE LEAVE 

Despite promising in November 2011 

that a family violence leave policy 

would be implemented across Qantas 

– nothing has happened yet. We now 

believe the policy may be coming soon. 

THE USU/ASU EBA 11 

NATIONAL NEGOTIATING TEAM 

Our claim is to have a clause in our 

EBA that is enforceable, however that 

said, a policy is a good start and USU/ 

ASU members who have campaigned 

for family violence leave can be proud 

that their work has focussed the 

company on the need to recognise the 

support employees need when they are 

subjected to family violence. 

As always the devil will be in the detail 

of the policy – which we hope comes 

soon - stay tuned www.usu.org.au. 

We’re ready to start negotiations 


Wet and wild!! 

Great day for families ... 

... and for friends 

Nothing better than 

Sponge Bob! 


PICNIC 

DAY FUN 

& GAMES 

With the sun shining 

USU members came 

out in force to enjoy 

Picnic Day 2016 at 

Sydney’s Wet n’ Wild 

in March. We think 

these pictures show 

that another fun day 

was had by all! 

Fun for all ages 

When can we go for a swim? 

The flag was flying high! Time for some family fun Ready to hit the waves 

General Secretary Graeme Kelly was pleased 

to welcome his niece Zara Nuku-Atkinson 

(in striped dress). Zara’s mother Bianca is a 

childcare Director at the Sydney City Council. 

Plenty of time for a catch up! 


Supporting local Government women 

THE UNITED SERVICES UNION WAS A PROUD PLATINUM SPONSOR OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH OF THE 

AUSTRALIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION’S CONFERENCE HELD IN GUNNEDAH IN MARCH 2016. 

On a national scale, ALGWA is 

involved with major stakeholders 

to increase women’s 

representation in elected positions 

within Council and with female 

employment in local government. The 

USU has a long standing commitment 

to sponsoring this event as women 

make up a large percentage of 

members in Local Government and the 

Union recognises that when women are 

represented and supported by their 

union, workplaces are stronger and 

fairer as a result. 

USU General Secretary, Graeme 

Kelly, addressed the conference at 

the USU sponsored Gala Dinner, 

highlighting the possible detrimental 

effects that forced Council 

amalgamations will have on Council’s 

administrative sectors which are 

predominately female staffed. The USU 

was warmly received and Graeme was 

congratulated for his ongoing support 

of women in local government. 

THE ALGWA CONFERENCE DELEGATES OPPOSING FORCED MERGERS 

Women’s Committee heads to the Big House 

ON THURSDAY 12 MAY THE USU WOMEN’S COMMITTEE HEADED TO MACQUARIE STREET WHERE MPS AND USU 

MEMBERS ANNA WATSON (SHELLHARBOUR) AND JENNY AITCHISON (MAITLAND) HOSTED THE USU WOMEN’S 

COMMITTEE MEETING. THE UNION GIVES A BIG SHOUT OUT TO THANK ANNA AND JENNY FOR THEIR SUPPORT. 

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE WOMEN’S 

COMMITTEE RING CLARE RAFFAN ON 9265 8211. 


No Excuse for Triple (000) Zero 

Call taker Abuse Campaign 

THE NO EXCUSE FOR TRIPLE (000) ZERO CALL TAKER ABUSE 

CAMPAIGN, WAS LAUNCHED ON 3RD MAY BY COMMISSIONER 

DOMINIC MORGAN. 

The campaign is a Zero tolerance crackdown on abuse suffered by 

Control Centre Staff, who are USU members, while they are trying 

to go about their job. The Control Centre Staff routinely face an 

unacceptable level of abuse and threatening behaviour from members of 

the public when they are taking calls and trying to assist the community. 

Some of the offensive behaviour Call Centre Staff are faced with 

includes; 

Offensive language, threatening behaviour, screaming down the phone, 

yelling, arguing, name calling, belittling, rudeness, sexually suggestive, 

being uncooperative, and abusive. 

The Call Centre Staff are not only trained to take calls, they are also 

qualified to assist during a medical emergency by asking questions and 

providing medical instructions until a paramedic arrives. The Call Centre 

Staff do an extraordinary job often in intense and unrelenting pressure. 

They work long hours often at times when we are home with our families or 

in bed sleeping. 

NSW Ambulance measured the abuse in one shift. The statistics showed 

8.32 per cent of Triple (000) Zero calls answered by one call taker in that 

shift contained a level of verbal abuse. 

NSW Ambulance provide a range of support measures for Call takers if 

they have been verbally abused which include; 

Formal debriefings, taking them off call taking duties, providing them 

with time out and counselling from Senior Managers, Counsellors, peer 

support officers or Chaplaincy Support as needed. However when a Call 

Centre Operator is taken off a roster, it places additional pressure on other 

staff to respond to calls in a time of crisis. 

NSW Ambulance will continue to stand by the Call Centre Staff 

and pursue abusive callers to the full extent of the law under the 

Telecommunications Act. Call Centre 

Operators are encouraged to report any 

incidents for further review and assessment. 

NSW Ambulance is currently rolling out the 

Campaign in the media. It aims to shine a light 

on the issue and impact it has on Call Centre 

Staff wellbeing and resilience long after the call 

ends. 

To see the NO Excuse for Triple (000) 

Zero Call Taker Abuse Campaign, visit the 

USU Facebook Page or NSW Ambulance 

Facebook page or visit The NSW 

Ambulance Website. 

HILTON BOMBING: 

We will never forget 

On Saturday 13 February the USU led the Memorial for 

the victims of Hilton Bombing. USU General Secretary 

paid tribute to the three workers - Council workers Alec 

Carter and William Favell and NSW Police Constable Paul 

Burmistriw - who lost their lives 38 years ago just doing 

their jobs when a bomb went off outside the Hilton Hotel 

in Sydney on 13 February 1978, after being loaded into the 

compactor of a garbage truck. 


Contract & Labour Hire employees 

WE NEED YOU TO COME JOIN THE USU AND TELL US YOUR STORY. 

The latest crazy Private sector/ 

Government inspired initiative is 

to contract out all our services 

from Energy, Call centres, Councils, 

IT services and just about anything 

you can think of. The reason is to 

eat away at all of our pay packets. 

Contractors pay less to workers and 

their conditions are usually poor. This 

lowering of wages and conditions then 

reflects on each of our individual jobs. 

The USU is looking to protect all 

workers in Services Industries covered 

by our union, including contractors. 

We are asking members who know 

someone - possibly a family member 

or friend who works for contract 

organisations/Labour Hire - to contact 

the USU. Joining a union is the first 

step in protecting yourself from 

unscrupulous employers. If we have 

a number of people join the USU then 

there is the possibility of negotiating 

better union agreements and 

protecting wages and conditions which 

seem to be up for grabs. 

Quite often holding a contract with 

one organisation leaves an employee 

vulnerable to dismissal from a specific 

workplace but not actually from the 

labour hire organisation, leaving 

employees stranded with few options 

other than to resign. 

As we have seen in contract cleaning 

services time and time again, the 

lowest cost seems to win the contract 

and usually ends up in lower wages and 

conditions for workers. 

If you have a family member or friend 

in this situation get them to contact the 

United Services Union on 1300 136 604 

for information. We can help. 

Losing it for a great cause 

ON 15 JANUARY 2016 USU OFFICIAL, CLARE RAFFAN SENT 

OUT THE FOLLOWING CALL FOR HELP TO RAISE MUCH-NEEDED 

MONEY FOR LEUKAEMIA RESEARCH. 

“Dear friend 

Blood cancer in a loved one has touched my family and so 

I’m doing World’s Greatest Shave! 

Today, 34 Australians will be given the devastating news 

that they have blood cancer, and they’ll turn to the 

Leukaemia Foundation for help. 

Please sponsor me and help support families and continue 

the urgent search for cures. 

Getting sponsored to shave your hair is an extraordinary 

way to help people with leukaemia, lymphoma and 

myeloma, but I can’t do it alone. 

Help me make the most of my hairy sacrifice. Sponsor me 

at least $28 today which can provide a cancer information 

pack to help a family prepare for the challenges ahead.” 

As a result of this widespread message Clare was able to raise a total 

of $3554.00 which was well above her original target of $2000.00. 

Clare is a great example of a dedicated Trade Unionist more than 

willing to find ways to help those in need. On behalf of Clare, the USU 

thanks all of those who generously donated to this cause. 

DO YOU KNOW A FELLOW UNIONIST WHO HAS TAKEN A STAND FOR A 

GREAT CAUSE? LET US KNOW SO WE CAN CELEBRATE OUR EVERYDAY 

HEROES! TALK TO YOUR USU DELEGATES OR ORGANISER. 


Hey, do you know someone 

who should join the team? 

MOST OF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO WORKS IN AN OFFICE OR CONTACT CENTRE. THEY COULD BE A RELATIVE, 

A FRIEND OR A FRIEND OF A FRIEND - WHY NOT TALK TO THEM ABOUT JOINING THE USU? 

For over 116 years the United 

Services Union has been working 

with members to protect and 

enhance the wages and conditions of 

workers across NSW. 

In 2003, two great unions - the 

Municipal & Shire Council Employees’ 

Union and the Federated Clerks Union 

- joined forces to become the United 

Services Union, continuing to protect 

workers’ rights across NSW and the 

ACT. Today we are stronger than ever. 

There is no doubt that the United 

Services Union has the potential to 

grow in all of the sectors that the USU 

covers. Recent attacks on the job 

security of energy sector workers, and 

the threat of job losses due to council 

amalgamations, has the potential to 

reduce your Union’s ability to influence 

legislators. In the past, due to our 

member strength, the USU has been 

successful in negotiating with key law 

makers so that your working conditions 

within industrial relations related 

legislation are protected. 

Most of you know someone 

who works in an office or contact 

centre. They could be a relative, a 

friend or a friend of a friend. 

It is important to the USU that wages, 

Sign up a mate 

$50 

and we’ll pay you 

working conditions and standards of 

living are maintained or increased and 

a large strong union is beneficial to all 

USU members. 

There are many benefits of joining the 

USU and we encourage you to talk to 

anyone who picks up a pen, works on a 

computer or answers a telephone and 

encourage them to join our great union 

so we can all unite the workers of NSW 

and make the United Services Union an 

From 1 December 2015 each time you successfully 

recruit a friend to join the USU, we’ll say thanks by 

giving YOU $50. They get the protection and benefits 

of USU membership and you get rewarded too!* 

Visit: www.usu.org.au/mate 

VISIT: WWW.USU.ORG.AU/JOIN 

DO YOU KNOW 

SOMEONE WHO 

FITS HERE? 

even stronger voice for workers’ rights. 

Remember that each time you sign 

up a member you will receive $50 as 

thanks from us, if that person remains 

a member for three months. So get 

active and help make the USU as strong 

as it is in local government. Let’s realise 

the potential for the USU to be the 

great office worker and contact centre 

union that it should be. 

WWW.USU.ORG.AU/JOIN 

Everyone’s 

a winner! 

✓* Conditions apply. Check www.usu.org.au/mate 


HAVE YOU OR A FAMILY MEMBER 

WHAT WE ALL KNOW AS A CAR 

ACCIDENT OR CAR CRASH IS AT 

LAW REFERRED TO AS A “MOTOR 

ACCIDENT.” 

Traditionally, the law surrounding 

motor accidents was and remains 

a “fault” based system, i.e. “it was 

his fault!” A highly regulated system 

of compensation is in place for those 

people who suffer injuries as a result of 

a motor accident. It is full of traps for 

the inexperienced and young players. 

Many of us would have dealt with 

our car property insurers for a car park 

ding or a bumper-to-bumper prang, 

however most people have not been 

in a crash that results in a personal, 

physical injury, and would not know 

what to expect claiming from a CTP 

insurer or what they can claim. 

If you or someone you know find 

yourself injured in a motor accident 

it is important to understand the 

compensation that may be available to 

you and to seek expert advice. 

WHAT IS A “MOTOR ACCIDENT” 

The definition of a “motor accident” 

here in NSW can be a fairly broad 

concept, which extends beyond what 

many consider to be, in layman’s 

terms, a “car crash”. 

The definition of a motor 

accident under the Motor Accident 

Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) (“the 

Act”) provides, in part that: 

“motor accident” means an 

incident or accident involving the 

use or operation of a motor vehicle 

that causes the death of or injury to 

a person where the death or injury 

is a result of and is caused….during: 

(a) the driving of the vehicle, or 

(b) a collision, or action taken 

to avoid a collision, with the 

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS 

vehicle, or 

(c) the vehicle’s running out of 

control, or 

(d) a dangerous situation caused 

by the driving of the vehicle, 

a collision or action taken 

to avoid a collision with the 

vehicle, or the vehicle’s running 

out of control. 

The broadness of this definition 

is important, as it ensures many 

injuries you may not ordinarily think 

of as arising out of a motor accident 

are covered by the Motor Accidents 

Compensation (“MAC”) system. 

For example: 

You do not need to be hit by a car 

for your injuries to be considered 

the result of a motor accident 

as such injuries could have been 

caused by action taken to avoid a 

collision. 

Some aspects of the MAC system 

extend to accidents that involve public 

transportation. Therefore, injuries you 

sustain due to the driving or collision of 

a public transport vehicle of which you 

are passenger (e.g. a ferry or a train) 

are classed as motor accident injuries 

for the purposes of assessing your 

compensation. 

Importantly, the fact your injuries 

may be covered by Workers’ 

Compensation does not exclude you 

from coverage under the MAC system. 

This is an important issue to discuss 

with your legal representative, as there 

are different types and amounts of 

compensation available between the 

two systems. An informed assessment 

needs to be made. 

BLAMELESS ACCIDENTS 

As noted above, traditionally the 

MAC system was based on the idea 

of “fault”: injuries caused by a motor 

accident were compensable, but 

only where one or more of the parties 

involved could be blamed for the 

incident. 

This meant that compensation was not 

available to people injured in accidents 

that were considered “blameless”, 

i.e. where nobody in particular or 

specifically was at fault. Some examples 

of blameless accidents would include 

an accident caused by a driver’s sudden 

unanticipated heart attack, by a tree 

branch or rock falling onto the road, 

or by an unexpected bee sting causing 

anaphylactic shock in a driver. 

This position (that blameless 

accidents are non-compensable), 

however, has been significantly 

amended. For more than five years 

now the MAC system has been 

extended to cover what are referred to 

as “blameless motor accidents”. 

A blameless motor accident is 

defined in the Act at section 7A, which 

provides: 

“blameless motor accident” means 

a motor accident not caused by 

the fault of the owner or driver of 

any motor vehicle involved in the 

accident in the use or operation of 

the vehicle and not caused by the 

fault of any other person. 

In practical terms, this means that 

you no longer have to prove a breach of 

duty of care (more commonly known as 

“fault”) by the driver of a motor vehicle 

in order to receive compensation for 

injuries caused by a motor accident. 

The Act contains special provisions 

dealing with accidents involving 

children, which deems an accident as 

“blameless” if the driver was not at 

fault and where the child was involved. 

Further, the blameless motor accident 

provision extends compensation to 


BEEN HURT IN A CAR ACCIDENT? 

IN CLAIMING COMPENSATION 

injuries sustained by drivers involved in 

single vehicle accidents, where it can be 

shown the driver was not at fault. This 

was confirmed in December 2015, in the 

Supreme Court case of Melenewycz v 

Whitfield. 

This case concerned a motorbike 

rider travelling on an outback 

road, who was hit by a kangaroo at 

considerable speed. The rider suffered 

significant injuries as a result and 

brought a claim for compensation 

against the owner of the motorbike, 

claiming the incident was a blameless 

motor accident. 

The CTP insurer disputed the 

incident was blameless, arguing it was 

impossible for the blameless provisions 

to apply to an injured driver in a single 

vehicle accident (with only one driver 

involved, who else could be to blame?) 

They also argued the rider had been 

negligent by not keeping a proper look 

out whilst riding and for driving too fast 

along the road (though the rider was 

below the speed limit). 

The Supreme Court found for 

the rider and not the insurer or the 

kangaroo in question. The Court did 

not accept the insurer’s argument that 

the blameless accident provisions 

could not apply to injuries suffered 

by drivers (or in this case, unlucky 

motorbike riders in kangaroo territory) 

in single vehicle accidents. 

While Justice Hamill conceded that 

this case “could only have taken place 

in Australia”, its significance should 

not be underestimated. The insurer 

appealed and the Court of Appeal has 

heard the argument and its decision is 

reserved. So watch this space. 

Michael Barnes, 

Partner 

PRACTICAL ADVICE 

IF YOU ARE INJURED IN WHAT YOU BELIEVE TO BE A MOTOR ACCIDENT, 

YOU SHOULD: 

Take down details of time, date, and location of the accident, and 

e 

how the accident occurred. Note the make and registration of any 

cars involved, as well as the name of any drivers or witnesses. It is 

important to identify the “at fault” driver, but there are provisions in 

the Act for situations where identifying the driver is impossible (e.g. 

where the driver does not stop or bounds away from the scene) 

These details will help you identify the Compulsory Third Party insurer 

of the vehicle you consider to be at fault. It does not matter whether 

it is the owner or the driver of the vehicle who is at fault, what is 

important is identifying the CTP insurer for the vehicle which is at fault. 

Call and report the accident and your injuries to the Police, who 

hopefully will attend the scene. If you are unable to contact the 

Police at the time of the accident (e.g. you don’t have mobile phone 

reception) you should report the accident at a police station as soon 

as possible, and certainly within 28 days. Make sure to get an Event 

Number. 

Complete and submit a CTP claim form to the CTP insurer for the 

vehicle you consider to be at fault. This form will require some 

documentation to be attached (e.g. a medical certificate and a 

diagram of how the accident occurred) and needs to be lodged within 

six months of the accident. The appropriate forms can be found on 

the Motor Accident Authority website. 

If you fail to lodge a claim form within 6 months you will need to 

provide what is broadly called a “full and satisfactory explanation” for 

the delay, which can be a time-consuming and potentially expensive 

exercise. 

Seek early legal advice. Motor accident compensation is a technical 

and complex area of the law, which can be difficult to understand and 

navigate. The relevant CTP insurer is not acting for you and certainly 

the driver of the vehicle which you consider at fault is not interested in 

assisting you to make sure you receive the right compensation. 

If you or someone you care about has been injured in a motor accident, 

“hop” on the phone and speak to Michael Barnes, Peter Lleonart, or Scott 

Dougall of Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers to discuss your potential entitlement to 

compensation. 

q 

D 

8 

CALL US FOR A NO OBLIGATION CASE EVALUATION ON OUR TOLL-FREE 

NUMBER 1800 816 559. 


Be prepared for your financial future 

THE STATE GOVERNMENT’S 

COUNCIL REFORMS REPRESENT 

SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT 

CHANGES EVER PROPOSED FOR 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN NSW. 

Like any major reform, the impact 

of the changes may not only be 

felt on an organisational level, 

but also on a personal level for many 

employees. 

At some stage, some employees like 

yourself may have some important 

decisions to make about your career 

and your finances. 

Being prepared is all about getting 

the right information at the right time. 

If you’re considering taking a 

retrenchment package, now or 

sometime in the future, Local 

Government Super (LGS) can help you 

to understand all your options, and to 

make more informed decisions about 

your long-term finances. 

Your local LGS client relationship 

manager can sit down with you and 

answer any questions you may have 

about your super or any other related 

matters, or you can chat with them 

over the phone if it’s more convenient. 

And if you need personal financial 

advice, we can arrange for you to meet 

with one of our local financial planners. 

They can provide professional advice 

on a range of topics including: 

Super 

Tax 

Centrelink benefits 

Insurance 

Budgeting. 

And it doesn’t matter if you’re a 

member of Local Government Super or 

not, we can provide you with affordable 

professional advice, whether the advice 

is limited to just one or two matters or 

a full comprehensive financial plan. 

One of our financial planners will 

meet with you, discuss your needs, outline the costs up front, and then it’s 

entirely up to you whether or not you proceed any further. 

It’s that simple. 

If you’d like to speak with your local LGS client relationship manager or find 

out more about financial advice, just call us on 1300 LGSUPER (1300 547 873) 

between 8.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. 

Issued by LGSS Pty Limited (ABN 68 078 003 497) (AFSL 383558), as Trustee for Local Government 

Superannuation Scheme – Pool A (ABN 74 925 979 278) and Pool B (ABN 28 901 371 321) (‘Local 

Government Super’). This document contains general advice only and is not a substitute for personal 

advice as it does not take into account any individual’s investment objectives, financial situation or 

particular needs. Accordingly, an individual should seek professional personal advice and refer to the 

relevant Product Disclosure Statement at lgsuper.com.au before making a financial decision. 

Be prepared 

for your future 

At Local Government Super, 

we can help you make the right 

decision about your long-term 

financial future. 

To find out more about our 

financial planning services, 

call us on 1300 LGSUPER 

(1300 547 873). 

Issued by LGSS Pty Limited (ABN 68 078 003 497) (AFSL 383558), as Trustee for Local Government 

Superannuation Scheme – Pool A (ABN 74 925 979 278) and Pool B (ABN 28 901 371 321) 

(‘Local Government Super’). 

L0678-05/16-USU 

24 • United Winter 2016 

L0678 USU ad - NEW CANSTAR.indd 1 

26/05/2016 3:26:48 PM

HOT TOPIC 

Annual Assessments 

MANY MEMBERS ARE MISSING PROGRESSION BECAUSE THEY ARE UNAWARE 

OF THEIR ASSESSMENT RIGHTS. MAKE SURE YOU DON’T MISS OUT. 

Whether you are a full-time, 

part-time or a regular and 

systematic casual employee of 

Council, under the Local Government 

(State) Award 2014 (the Award), you 

are entitled to be assessed at least 

annually for progression through 

the salary range for your position, or 

when you are required to use the skills 

in your role that would entitle you to 

progression. 

Further to this, the Award not 

only provides the entitlement to the 

assessment at least annually but 

also places an obligation on Council 

to conduct the assessments under 

clause 8 (vii): “…employees shall be 

assessed for progression through 

the salary range for their position at 

least annually…” This means that the 

assessments should be conducted for 

Calling for nominations for the Roy Byrnes Award 

IN DECEMBER 2009 THE UNION 

AND COMMUNITY WERE GREATLY 

SADDENED BY THE SUDDEN 

PASSING OF UNITED SERVICES 

UNION ORGANISER, ROY BYRNES. 

Roy had worked as a full-time 

official for the USU for two years, 

after being an active delegate 

for many years at the City of Sydney 

Council. Roy was also a proud member 

of the Sydney Branch Committee of 

Management. 

Roy was a strong community leader 

who was always the first to lend a hand 

no matter how big or small the job, 

regardless of the time of the day. 

Roy collected for the Salvation Army, 

letter-boxed and campaigned for the 

ALP and ran raffles to raise money for a 

range of high profile charities. He would 

HAVE YOU BEEN DENIED AN 

ASSESSMENT? TALK TO YOUR 

USU DELEGATE OR ORGANISER TO 

ENSURE YOUR AWARD RIGHTS ARE 

ENFORCED TODAY! 

all employees who have not topped out 

in the salary system, and not just for 

those who request it. 

Under the Award, you have the 

right to appeal the assessment if you 

disagree with the outcome. The USU 

is opposed to artificial barriers that 

prevent our members from progressing 

through the salary range for their 

position and can assist members with 

the appeal process. An artificial barrier 

is any competency that is blocking 

progression through its inability to be 

achieved. This could include a skill 

component that will never or is highly 

lend a hand to any community member 

to move furniture, fix their computers 

or just assist individuals to complete 

documentation such as tax returns. 

In recognition of Roy’s outstanding 

community efforts, the USU and Sydney 

Branch developed an annual Award 

endorsed by the State Executive that 

recognises an individual’s selfless 

contribution to their community. 

The award is called the “Roy Byrnes 

Community Contribution Award”. 

Each year the Union calls on 

members to nominate themselves, 

other members or groups of members 

who have, over the previous 12 months, 

provided an outstanding Community 

contribution. 

The winner will be selected and 

presented with a specially made 

plaque at the Union conference held in 

unlikely to ever be applied in your role 

such as the requirement to obtain 

certification in an area unrelated to 

your role. 

UNITED ACTION 

The USU has begun a campaign at 

Muswellbrook Shire Council which 

provides all members with an 

opportunity to request an annual 

assessment where they believe they are 

entitled to one, in a manner which is less 

confronting than usual – as a collective. 

The campaign was launched following 

on from concerned members that they 

have not been receiving their entitlement 

to assessment under the Award. 

The USU will ensure that all members 

who believe they are entitled to an 

assessment receive one and that 

any artificial barriers that may exist, 

precluding members from progressing 

through the salary range, are removed 

as required competencies. 

NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE ROY 

BYRNES COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION AWARD. 

NOMINATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER 

2016 AND CAN BE MADE ONLINE AT: WWW.USU. 

ORG.AU/SERVICES/ROY-BYRNES-AWARD 

September each year. 

IF YOU ARE AWARDED THIS AWARD YOU 

WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND CONFERENCE 

ON THE 15TH SEPTEMBER 2016. 

The Award is equally sponsored by 

Matraville Pharmacy and the USU to the 

value of $500 per annum. 


PICNIC DAY 

Fun and games top of the list 

THE UNION PICNIC DAY AT GREATER TAREE CITY COUNCIL WAS AGAIN A SUCCESS WITH OVER 70 MEMBERS 

TURNING UP FOR EARLY MORNING BBQ’S, BARE FOOT BOWLS, FINGER FOODS, LUNCH AND PRAWNS TO BE 

ENJOYED BY ALL, AND TO END THE DAY A FEW GAMES OF POOL AND SOME PUNTING FOR THOSE INCLINED. 

The picnic committee, led by 

Merv Emerton and John Connell, 

had organised approximately 20 

mixed prizes from hats, pens, socks 

and shirts for the main event “bowls”. 

As always, the bare foot bowls saw 

some hard fought matches, with old 

rivalries being reignited, and new 

ones lit. This was just the start of 

the laughs and sledging, with Adam 

Jennens Master of Ceremonies for the 

presentations for the eventual winners 

and losers, making sure the enjoyment 

of the day rolled on. 

After some light nibbles, lunch, and a 

few beverages, it was time to recognise 

and celebrate the careers of long time 

members Michael Hutchison (37 years) 

and Neville Towers (39 years) and wish 

them all the best for their retirement. 

Also acknowledged was Ian Minett (36 

years). Ian has not yet retired however 

has started to use his long service leave 

entitlements and will retire in June 2017. 

NEVILLE TOWERS, MERV EMERTON, MICHAEL HUTCHISON AND STEVE HARDY 

JOHN CONNELL, IAN MINETT AND MERV EMERTON 

Want news you can trust? 

USU NEWS SERVICE 

News flash 

THE NEW DAILY WILL ARRIVE TO YOU EVERY 

MORNING WITH THE HOT NEWS OF THE DAY. 

In an age when media ownership and diversity 

is shrinking and online news and paywalls are 

becoming the standard, the USU is pleased to 

provide a member-offer of an online news service 

currently read by over 750,000 Australians. The 

New Daily is Australia’s fastest growing online news 

service, providing up-to-the-minute reporting on 

the biggest stories of the day plus “news you can 

use” from the world of general news, money, sport, 

entertainment, weather and lifestyle. It’s news 

designed for working Australians. 

The day was full of laughter and good 

cheer by all; full bellies, tall tales of 

bowls skill, and the end of 110 years of 

experience. 

Officially this is the last picnic day 

held by GTCC members; however 

hopefully, it could be building blocks 

for a bigger and better picnic day for 

the members of the new Mid-Coast 

Council. 

The USU has 

partnered with 

Australia’s 

fastest growing 

news service – 

The New Daily 

– to deliver you 

timely news. 

Members will shortly receive an email introducing The Daily News service. 

If you don’t want to receive it simply unsubscribe with one click! 


PICNIC DAY 

Top day as members celebrate 

THE “OLD” WYONG SHIRE POOL HOSTED ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL GOSFORD AND WYONG USU UNION PICNIC DAY 

ON FRIDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2015. 

FUN AND GAMES FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES! 

The sun was shining on the Central 

Coast with over 500 members 

and families enjoying the 

festivities, including children’s rides, 

amusements, photo booths, clowns, 

horse rides, face painting, animal zoo 

and a visit from Santa.The barbeque 

also proved extremely popular with 

lines of hungry members queuing 

for the sausage sizzle and hot dogs 

throughout the day! 

As the photos show, the event was 

again an overwhelming success! 

This was the last USU Gosford and 

Wyong Council Picnic Day, as now 

we have the merged “Central Coast 

Council”. 

There are plans to expand the event 

in 2016 to provide a variety of events 

for the benefit of USU members at the 

new entity! This year’s first annual USU 

Central Coast Council Picnic Day, will 

be held on Friday 2 nd December 2016 

again at the “old Wyong” Shire Pool and 

surrounding grounds. 

The day would not be successful 

without the hard working members of 

the Union Picnic committee. 

The USU extends a huge well done 

to the members of the USU Picnic 

committee and volunteers on the 

day who made the 2015 event such a 

success - roll on 2016! 

If you are interested in assisting with 

the event on Union Picnic Day or joining 

the Union Picnic Committee please 

contact Matt Sheargold – Central Coast 

Council USU Delegate on 0409 111 190 

or USU Organiser Luke Hutchinson on 

0419 761 323. 


FINANCIAL ADVICE 

is not just for retirees 

Ages 

65 

& over 

• Healthcare and aged care planning 

• Inheritance considerations 

• Preserving capital 

• Estate planing 

Ages 

47-65 

• Family healthcare 

• Assisting children 

• Retirement planning 

• Debt reduction 

Ages 

31-46 

• Home renovations 

• Schooling and fees 

• Protection of assets 

• Investments 

Ages 

18-30 

• Paying off HECS debt 

• Purchasing first home 

• Travelling overseas 

• Getting married and 

having children 

Getting the right advice is one of the most important things you can do for your future, even if retirement 

seems a long way away. No matter what stage of life you are in, we can assist you get the most out of 

your current financial situation. 

Our planners can travel to you or are available at offices in the following locations: 

Sydney 

Level 29 

201 Elizabeth Street 

Sydney NSW 2000 

Port Macquarie 

Shop 6, Ground Floor, 

146-150 Gordon Street 

Port Macquarie NSW 2444 

Wollongong 

Suite 8, 88 Kembla Street 

Wollongong NSW 2500 

Newcastle - Warners Bay 

Suite 4, 41 Charles Street 

Warners Bay NSW 2282 

Our financial planners also regularly visit other areas, such as Central coast, Dubbo, Tamworth, Orange, Ballina, Bathurst, 

Canberra, Wagga Wagga and Grafton. 

Don’t delay! Speak to one of our financial planners 

about your current financial situation by calling 

02 9046 1920. 

The information in this document is current as at the date of issue, is of a general nature only and has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting 

on this information or making an investment decision about whether to acquire, hold or sell a financial product, you should consider its appropriateness having regard to your objectives, financial 

situation and needs and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement which is available at eisuper.com.au or by contacting Member Services on 1300 369 901. This document is issued by 

Energy Industries Superannuation Scheme Pty Lim 77 947 285 (the Trustee), RSE Licensee L0001373 and AFS Licence 441877 as trustee for Energy Industries Superannuation Scheme Pool A 

ABN 22 277 243 559, RSE R1004861 - Pool B ABN 64 322 090 181, RSE R1004878 (the Scheme). Throughout this document the Trustee may be referred to as ‘EISS’, ‘EISS Financial Planning’, ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’. 

EISS747 - ETU 


FAREWELL 

Retired ... but still in the union! 

WARREN, CENTRE, WITH SOME OF THE MANY FRIENDS 

HE MADE WHILE WORKING AT LISMORE CITY COUNCIL. 

IN JANUARY THE USU FAREWELLED LONG STANDING MEMBER WARREN 

WATTS AFTER NEARLY 50 YEARS WORKING IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT. 

Warren started his long career 

with Terrania Shire Council 

in July 1966. He joined the 

Municipal Employees Union (MEU) 

shortly after and in 1967 was elected 

the workplace delegate. 

In 1967 there were amalgamations 

and Terrania, Gunderimba and Lismore 

councils were merged to form the 

Lismore City Council as its known today. 

Warren was elected as the first 

delegate in the new Lismore City 

Council and worked tirelessly 

representing members until 1985. 

During that time he was also on the 

safety committee for 10 years, Union 

Picnic committee and handed out at 

election time, supporting candidates 

who were committed to workers. 

On 22 January 2016 Warren retired with 

49½ years service in Local Government, 

over 19 years as a delegate. He says he 

will always be a strong supporter of the 

union and workers and is now a proud 

member of the USU Retired Members 

Club and has been nominated for a life 

membership with the union. 

Celebrating over half a century 

Manager Metro Steve Donley, Greg McLean, General Secretary Graeme Kelly, Jim Montague and 

delegate Col Myers at Jim’s send off in June - celebrating 51 years in local government, 51 years 

USU membership and 32 years as General Manager of Canterbury Council. Quite a record! 



USUKIDS 

corner 

GREAT 

PRIZES TO 

BE WON! 

What’s an ig?… 

An eskimo’s home without a loo! 

Why did the gingerbread man go 

to the doctors?… 

He was feeling crummy. 

What is the favourite Mexican food 

of snowman?… 

Brrrr- itos. 

What do you call a reindeer with 

no eyes?… 

no eyed deer 

Knock, knock!… 

Who’s there?… 

Snow… 

Snow who?… 

Snowbody! 

Winter maze 

Which path 

should the 

sled take? 

Two winners will be awarded in the following categories: 

Ages 8-12 years and Ages up to 7. 

Send your entry to: USU Kids, Level 7, 321 Pitt St, Sydney for your chance 

to win some great prizes. Winners will be published in the next edition of 

United. 

Name:___________________________________________________ 

Age: ____________________________________________________ 

Address: _________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________ 


Heading North or South 

this winter holiday? 

yes! 

United Services Union members have the option of holidaying at the USU’s Aquatic Resort at 

Port Macquarie, or heading south to Jervis Bay at the Rail Tram and Bus Union Holiday Park. 

RTBU and USU members can stay at either holiday location at discounted member rates.* 

Greetings pelican 

Greetings pelican 

Kitchen 

Kitchen 

Boatings 

USU Aquatic Holiday Park at Port Macquarie 

Stay in comfort at the holiday resort and enjoy 

great discounts and great style while relaxing 

in the best climate in Australia. 

Boatings 

USU members can enjoy great 

holidays at the Union’s own 

Aquatic holiday resort, located in 

beautiful Port Macquarie on the 

Hastings River. The resort consists 

Fishing and more ... 

Cabin exterior 

of a Motel and a Caravan Park, so 

no matter what type of holiday you 

are after your needs are covered. 

GREAT DEALS FOR 

USU MEMBERS 

ALL YEAR ROUND! 

RTBU Holiday Park at Jervis Bay 

Fishing and more ... 

You can contact the motel or 

caravan park by calling the 

Aquatic In Port on 02 6583 7388 

or check the website at www. 

aquaticinport.com.au. You 

can also call the Union’s Head 

Office on 1300 136 604 for more 

information. 

Cabin exterior 

Located in the Booderee National Park, the RTBU Holiday Park at Jervis Bay, is 

just a 3 hour drive south from Sydney, but a world away … 

Each of the 14 self-contained units sleep up to a maximum of 6 people and 

rates are based on a family of 2 adults and 4 children. 

You will need to bring your own sheets as only mattress protectors, quilts and 

pillows are supplied. 

The units contain a digital television, an oven, microwave, fridge, crockery, 

cutlery, glassware, pots and pans as well as basic cooking utensils. Make sure 

you come prepared as the closest grocery shop is a 30 minute drive away. 

The RTBU Holiday Park facilities available to all guests include a boat ramp, 

undercover BBQ area with seating, tennis court and a coin operated laundry. 

There are various swimming spots to enjoy and natural areas to explore, 

suitable for all the family. 

Kangaroos, possums, wallabies, kookaburras, bandicoots, echidnas and 

rosellas visit the grounds of the holiday park daily. 

Enjoy fishing from the calm shores or take a quick walk to experience beach 

fishing on the pristine Bherwerre Beach. 

* conditions apply 

Bookings can be made by telephoning the RTBU Office on (02) 9264 2511. 

T R AM 

AND

United magazine Winter 2016

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