United magazine Winter 2016

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:
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$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!
United Winter 2016 • 9