United magazine Winter 2017

nited 

USandie 

Official journal of the United Services Union • Winter 2017 

Morthen 

Australia’s No 1 Innovative Organiser 

AS VOTED 

BY THE 

ACTU 

Local Government 

ELECTIONS 

Make the difference 

May day 2017 

Fighting inequality 

Sleepout 2017 

Can you help? 

Aquatic Resort 

Renovations in full swing! 

Local Government Award: 98.98% say yes!

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. 

EXECUTIVE 

President: Stephen Birney 

Vice President: Glen McAtear 

General Secretary: Graeme Kelly 

Treasurer: Sharon Sewell 

Shane Clapham, Ross Crawford, Tony Dean, Larry 

Freeman, Katie Gillen, Stephen Mulholland, James O’Malley 

Annamaria Saglimbeni, Brendan Scott, Bev Spearpoint, 

Katerina Tahija, Lisa Turner, 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: Peter Campsie 

Training Officers: Narelle Rich/Paul Reid 

Assistant Industrial / Research Officer (Metro): Maria 

Nordenswan (M/L) 

Legal Special Projects Officer (Metro): Sean Szabo 

Legal Special Projects Officer (Metro): Daniel Papps 

Metro Organisers: Russell Abbott, Jim Carter, 

Joel Conomos, Colin Drane, Sue Kealy, Sandie Morthen, 

Irene Nair, Shane Pinter 

Energy, Utilities & Private Sector: Troy Dunne, Brian 

Cameron (A/g), Chris Gill, Bill O’Kell, Clare Raffan 

Recruitment Officer (EU&PS): Vacant 

Support Team: Joanie Doleman, Jenny Chen, 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) 

Steven Vann, Stuart Geddes 

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 7, 54-56 Fitzmaurice St 

Wagga Wagga 2650 

Ph: (02) 69317990 

Fax: (02) 6931 7271 

Organiser: Darren Wait, Jed Lawton 

NATIONAL 

Assistant National Secretary: 

Robert Potter (A/g) 

Northern Office: 

Shop 2, Mid City Arcade 

57 Prince Street 

Grafton 

Ph: (02) 6643 5299 

Fax: (02) 6643 2799 

Organiser: John Hickson (A/g) 

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 

Penalty rates CUT 

Corporations and their allies in 

politics have been attacking the 

concept of the working week for 

decades. 

It’s been a centrepiece of their 

“trickle down” economic theory 

that asks us to believe that if we take 

money from workers and give it to 

corporations somehow we will all 

benefit. 

One quarter of Australia’s 

workforce works on the weekend. 

They give up time with family and 

friends and miss out on special 

occasions with their loved ones. 

Penalty Rates compensate people 

for working these unsociable hours 

when the rest of us are enjoying 

time off work. For many working 

people, the Penalty Rates they are 

paid are the difference between 

making ends meet and financial 

ruin. They should be protected. 

On 23 February 2017, the Fair Work 

Commission made the decision to 

cut Penalty Rates in the Hospitality, 

Fast Food, Pharmacy and Retail 

industries. 

The decision cut Sunday and 

public holiday Penalty Rates 

for workers on these Awards by 

between 25% and 50%. 

Despite calls to protect Penalty 

Rates the Turnbull Government 

By USU President Stephen Birney 

did nothing - instead sprouting the 

“trickle down” mantra of their big 

business friends. 

The public holiday penalty rate 

cuts took full immediate effect from 

the first public holiday after July 1 

2017. Cuts to Sunday rates will be 

phased in over three to four years, 

depending on the Award, locking in 

cuts year after year. 

Support fair businesses 

Importantly, employers can 

continue to pay current rates – they 

are not required to apply penalty 

rate cuts! We urge you to support 

businesses who choose to pay their 

workers fair Penalty Rates. 

700,000 workers across the retail, 

pharmacy, hospitality and fast 

food sectors – who don’t have an 

Enterprise Agreement in place – can 

have their take home pay reduced if 

their employers decide to cut their 

Penalty Rates. 

The Penalty Rates decision has 

the potential to move to other 

industries. All industries that work 

weekends are a potential target. 

Members with an EA are currently 

protected, however employers across 

the nation are queuing up to cut 

Penalty Rates for workers once EA’s 

expire. 

2 • United Winter 2017

Why we fight 

Over the years I have been asked 

many times “Why do you do it?” 

In March this year, when asked 

to help our ASU colleagues in 

Western Australia, that question 

came back to me. Why fight? 

The answer is simple. We fight 

for a fair go. We fight for fair jobs. 

We fight because if we didn’t, who 

would? 

In Western Australia there was a 

lot at stake – and we in NSW who 

have witnessed the privatisation of 

our own energy industry knew we 

had to support our fellow members. 

The fight against privatisation is 

a constant one. Jobs have been lost 

in the energy sector as profits are 

put before people. Not only do jobs 

disappear but services decline. 

In local government we are seeing 

a steady push to put local services 

out to tender. We need your help to 

stop that. 

At the local council elections to 

be held on 9th September we will 

be asking the question of each and 

every candidate - do you support 

local jobs? We will be asking them 

to sign our Pledge (see page 7) and 

we will be supporting candidates 

who do, because we need people in 

local councils who care for local jobs 

and who are committed to ensuring 

fair full-time jobs in local councils. 

As I read through this edition of 

United I am once again struck by 

how strong our members are when 

we work together. 

In local government we held 367 

meetings and members came out 

in force to support an Award that 

not only protects every existing 

condition but improves many. At a 

time where trade offs are rife that is a 

magnificent result for our members. 

A result we get from great work by 

Manager Stephen Hughes and his 

team of negotiators but importantly it 

is because of our strong members. 

At Transgrid we had members who 

stood up and said NO to a dud deal 

showing unity in rejecting some quick 

bucks at the expense of their rights. 

The journal is full of stories of 

unity and fighting for a fair go. We 

have our national Qantas negotiating 

team winning an Award at the ACTU 

NexGen17 Conference and our 

Organiser Sandie Morthen winning 

the most prestigious Innovative 

Organiser of the Year Award. 

So when I am asked why do I do 

it? The answer is easy - I do it for the 

30,000 USU members who stand 

beside me. 

USU General Secretary 

Graeme Kelly 

Graeme Kelly with (now) WA Premier Mark 

McGowan during the election campaign. 

Getting up at 

dawn to fight the 

good fight. It is 

worth it! 

United Winter 2017 • 3

IT’S A RECORD: 98.98% SA 

After almost a year of hard work and lengthy negotiations and conciliation in the NSW IRC resulting 

in an Award package which we believed was worth taking to our tens of thousands of USU Local 

Government members for a vote, we have achieved the following result from the USU Award Vote Mass 

Meetings which were held across NSW, between June 7th and June 28th 2017. 

Total Mass 

Meetings held 

367 

Total percentage 

of ‘yes’ votes 

98.98% 

Total percentage 

of ‘no’ votes 

1.01% 

This outcome is a fantastic 

result and an overwhelming 

endorsement by our membership 

in achieving a good outcome in 

such difficult times, which has seen 

around two thirds of federal public 

servants have no increase in wages 

since 2013, and with record low wage 

growth across the country averaging 

below 2%. 

We have delivered a result which 

is far better than most other workers 

have received, as well as protecting 

conditions which were under attack 

from the Employer’s log of claims, 

such as Penalty Rates, allowances, 

and numerous other conditions. 

We have made a substantial 

number of improvements overall 

and have provided recognition and 

protection of RDO’s (rostered days 

off) from being absorbed when they 

fall on a public holiday such as what 

occurred to many employees on a 

nine day fortnight at Kempsey Shire 

Council over 2 years ago. 

We have seen over 40 changes to 

the award, whilst protecting our 

members from being worse off. 

The long overdue recognition 

in this Award of serious issues 

such as Domestic and Family 

Violence, Mental Health, and 

Drug and Alcohol abuse in various 

clauses, will provide the impetus 

for delivering much needed 

understanding in seeking to 

recognise and assist those who seek 

help, rather than just ignoring the 

real underlying problem causing 

the performance issues and taking 

disciplinary action that only 

exacerbates the issues. 

The recognition of statutory 

declarations in the Sick Leave 

Clause should reduce unnecessary 

and often costly visits for normal 

circumstances to the doctor’s 

surgery, which had a result of filling 

busy doctor’s surgeries with people 

merely seeking a certificate and 

unnecessarily adding to the cost of 


Y YES TO THE NEW AWARD 

The first increase 

of 2.35% (or 

minimum $20.40) 

commenced from 

the first full pay 

period on or after 

1 July 2017. 

Over 98% of members at the 

newly amalgamated Central 

Coast Council voted YES to 

the new Award. 

“ 

During these negotiations every aspect 

of your Award was targeted by Local 

Government NSW. Every single condition was 

maintained or improved! Since I became USU 

General Secretary the Union has successfully 

negotiated three Awards with each one 

overwhelmingly supported by our members; 

97.55% in 2010, 95.58% in 2014 and now a 

massive 98.98% support. Every member, 

delegate and official played their part in this 

process. This is your win. 

- Graeme Kelly 

“ 

the country’s health budget. 

The ability to ‘cash in’ by 

agreement additional long service 

leave, eg in excess of the statutory 

0.8 weeks per year accrual, will go a 

long way to reducing excessive leave 

accruals while providing workers 

with a back-up source of additional 

potential income to assist when 

needed. 

Only Union members got to have 

a vote on the Award. 

For this Award we did not see 

the employers include any positive 

issues on their log of claims to assist 

or improve the working conditions 

of the Award level workers, be 

they either members of a Union or 

not, nor do we see them holding 

meetings of non-Union members 

to vote on the Award, even though 

their employer association has 

endorsed it by the time it goes out to 

the Union’s membership for a vote. 

For those thousands of members 

who took the time to attend any 

of the 367 Award meetings held by 

the USU for the vote, we thank you 

for being a member and thereby 

allowing us to have the resources 

and the support to continue to 

represent you and to deliver positive 

outcomes like the 2017 Award. 

The vast majority of employers 

unfortunately would not lift a finger 

to improve your working conditions 

if it was left solely to them. 

Your membership, unity and 

support is the reason we can do 

what we do. 

SOME OF THE NEW 

AWARD PROVISIONS: 

Pay rises of 2.35%, 2.5%, 2.5% 

RDO’s are now locked in, 

provisions as currently stand 

will continue. If it falls on a 

public holiday RDO will move to 

next day or day of convenience. 

If required to work you are 

entitled to overtime. 

For Salaried Officers in Band 3 

and Band 4 of the Award there 

is a new clause for excess hours 

agreements, that recognises 

regular hours above the salaried 

35 hours. The clause allows for 

either a local change for regular 

time off or to have hours 

recognised in their salary. 

Disciplinary procedures have 

been restricted, councils need 

to outline the full allegations, 

justify the need for an 

investigation and why it can’t 

be resolved without one. 

A Stat Dec can be used instead 

of doctor’s certificate for sick 

leave. 

New special leave that allows 

for leave with or without 

pay for domestic violence 

leave, compassionate leave, 

emergency services or defence 

leave. 


LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS 

Will we get some democracy at 

last in NSW Local Government? 

In May 2016, when the (then) Baird Liberal Government sacked 

democratically elected Councils across NSW and created newly 

amalgamated Councils it left many communities and workers reeling. 

While elections took place last September at many councils some, 

including amalgamated Councils, had to wait until September 2017 to replace 

hand-picked Administrators with democratically elected Councillors. 

This September it is finally time for local communities to have their say. 

With local government jobs protected for three years at amalgamated 

councils, local government workers have had some security, however at many 

councils it has not been that simple. 

Workers at councils such as Cumberland, Georges River and the 

Central Coast have been faced with battles to protect jobs, with unelected 

Administrators making decisions to put jobs out to tender. 

We want to make sure that the new Councillors elected in September 

respect local jobs and services and are ready to put their signatures on our 

Pledge (see page 7). 

With 20 months until job protections end it is vital that Councillors are 

elected who will fight outsourcing and privatisation. 

Our local government members have had enough of uncertainty which is 

why we are calling on members to have their say and vote for a candidate at 

the upcoming election who has signed our Pledge. 

We will be asking every candidate to sign and we will publish the names 

of those who sign up on our website at www.usu.org.au/pledge2017 

Many communities are still pushing for de-amalgamation - a policy 

which Labor Opposition Leader Luke Foley supports. “We will allow local 

communities to determine their futures democratically,” Mr Foley said. 

Help determine the outcome of 

the Local Government election 

this 9th September. 

The United Services Union is 

asking our members - including 

our experienced Retired 

Members Club - to participate in 

the upcoming Local Government 

elections. 

This Local Government election 

will be the final say on the 

forced amalgamation policy 

which leaves employees and 

communities vulnerable. 

Come and stand with your 

fellow members, community 

and industry. Let’s be the 

difference and protect the Local 

Government industry and its 

communities. 

Time for democracy: 

Opposing outsourcing 

at Cumberland Council 

Participate in the United Services 

Union’s Local Government 

election campaign. 


Authorised and printed by Graeme Kelly, General Secretary, NSW Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines and Utilities 

Union Level 7, 321 Pitt St Sydney • Phone: (02) 9265 8211 • Facsimile: (02) 9261 2265 • Email: united@usu.org.au • Website: www.usu.org.au 

: 9 SEPTEMBER 2017 

make the difference 

How you can make a difference: 

1. In the lead up to the elections can you spend some time 

staffing the pre-polling locations? More and more people are 

voting via pre-poll before the election day. We need to ensure 

as strong a presence as possible. 

2. On election day can you help out at the election booths? 

3. Please identify which Council Election you can assist with. 

4. Please contact the USU Support Team on 1300 136 604 to 

discuss how you can help at your nominated Council. 

HAS YOUR CANDIDATE SIGNED THE PLEDGE? 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT 

bPLEDGE FOR CANDIDATES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS 

As a ......................................................... (political party) candidate in the 2017 Local Government Council 

Election for ............................................................... (insert LGA) Council, I .................................................. (name 

of candidate), formally pledge to maintain the highest level of honesty, integrity, accountability and respect for 

this public office at all times. 

IN DOING SO I ALSO COMMIT TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES: 

Keep local Council jobs local 

Maintain core Council services using council labour 

Reject the use of labour hire contractors 

Oppose outsourcing and privatising of Council services 

Support increased employment protections 

Ensure the provision of ongoing training to Council workforce 

Support procurement of Australian products 

I will remain committed to the above principles throughout my term(s) of elected office. 

Furthermore, I recognise the important role of the Union(s) in ensuring wages and conditions of employment 

are protected, and the industrial rights of all Local Government workers are recognised and always respected. 

I sign this Pledge of my own accord, without duress or promise of promotion, and acknowledge the proud, long 

history of Local Government, its delivery of efficient services to the community and its many achievements. 

............................................................ ............................................................ 

Name of Candidate 

Name of Witness 

............................................................ ............................................................ 

Signature of Candidate 

Signature of Witness 

........................................................... .......................................................... 

Date 

Date 

Keep the LOCAL in 

LOCAl government 

At the 2016 Local Government elections we asked 

every candidate to: 

Keep local Council jobs local 

Maintain core Council services using Council 

labour 

Reject the use of labour hire contractors 

Oppose outsourcing and privatising of Council 

services 

Support increased employment protections 

Ensure the provision of ongoing training to 

Council workforce 

Support procurement of Australian products 

We will once again be asking candidates to support local jobs and services 

- talk to your candidates and ask them to sign our Pledge. 

COUNCILS THAT WILL BE HOLDING 

ELECTIONS ON 9TH SEPTEMBER 

Armidale Regional Council (Armidale, 

Dumaresq and Guyra) 

Bathurst Regional Council 

Bayside Council (Botany Bay and Rockdale) 

Blayney Shire Council 

Burwood Council 

Cabonne Council 

Canterbury-Bankstown Council (Bankstown 

and Canterbury) 

Central Coast Council (Gosford and Wyong) 

Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council 

(Cootamundra and Gundagai) 

Cumberland Council (Auburn, Holroyd and 

Parramatta) 

Dubbo Regional Council (Dubbo and 

Wellington) 

Dungog Shire Council 

Edward River Council (Conargo and 

Deniliquin) 

Federation Council (Corowa and 

Urana) 

Georges River Council (Hurstville and 

Kogarah) 

Hilltops Council (Boorowa, Harden and 

Young) 

The Council of the Shire of Hornsby 

The Council of the Municipality of Hunter’s 

Hill 

Inner West Council (Ashfield, Leichhardt and 

Marrickville) 

Ku-ring-gai Council 

Lane Cove Municipal Council 

Maitland City Council 

Mid Coast Council (Gloucester, Great Lakes 

and Greater Taree) 

Mosman Municipal Council 

Murray River Council (Murray and Wakool) 

Murrumbidgee Council (Jerilderie and 

Murrumbidgee) 

Newcastle City Council 

North Sydney Council 

Northern Beaches Council (Manly, Pittwater 

and Warringah) 

Oberon Council 

Orange City Council 

City of Parramatta Council (Auburn, Holroyd, 

Hornsby, Parramatta and the Hills) 

Port Stephens Council 

Queanbeyan - Palerang Regional Council 

(Palerang and Queanbeyan) 

Randwick City Council 

Council of the City of Ryde 

Shellharbour City Council 

Snowy Monaro Regional Council (Bombala, 

Cooma-Monaro and Snowy River) 

Snowy Valleys Council (Tumbarumba and 

Tumut) 

Strathfield Municipal Council 

The Hills Shire Council 

Waverley Council 

Willoughby City Council 

Wollongong City Council 

Woollahra Municipal Council 


WA Campaign - Powerful when united 

In March, with the future of 

the power industry at stake in 

Western Australia and ASU jobs 

on the line, National ASU and 

USU President Stephen Birney 

and USU General Secretary 

Graeme Kelly joined the 

campaign in WA to lend their 

support to stop another power 

sell-off by the Liberal/Nationals. 

Steve and Graeme campaigned 

for jobs calling on voters in WA 

to “Use your Power” and put the 

Liberal/Nationals last in the WA 

election. 

With former Premier Colin 

Barnett and his Liberal-National 

State Government looking to 

privatise Western Australia’s 

electricity system, the USU knew we 

needed to lend a hand to stop it. 

“We know from experience that all 

the promises to maintain jobs and 

services and keep prices down are 

not true,” said Graeme Kelly. 

“Just look what happened to 

600 Essential Energy workers 

across regional NSW in the lead 

up to Christmas last year when 

management sent out letters to 

redeployees requesting them to 

make decisions about their future 

- putting profits before people. We 

wanted to talk to voters about why 

they need to protect their Power 

Industry,” said Graeme. 

Stephen Birney agreed, “Being a 

member of a union does not stop at 

state borders - sometimes we need 

to fight national or interstate battles 

because when you are Union it is 

about solidarity.” 

“The Barnett government ran 

a $270,000 tax-payer funded ad 

campaign in support of the sell off – 

we wanted to tell the real story.” 

The campaign paid off with Labor 

winning the election. 

TRANSGRID MEMBERS SAY NO 

The employees of Transgrid sent 

management a strong message 

that they will not stand by and 

give away their conditions easily. 

After months of negotiations 

between management and USU 

representatives, Transgrid put up their 

version of the Enterprise Agreement 

to a vote. Management even tried 

to buy the vote by offering $1000 

bonuses if employees voted YES. 

The main reasons the Union could 

not endorse the offered agreement 

were: 

Reducing the coverage of the 

agreement down to pay point 

30 and introducing individual 

employment contracts from pay 

point 30 up. 

2% pay increase per year for the 

life of the agreement. 

The USU has seen Transgrid 

documentation showing that they 

wished to reduce the coverage of the 

EBA down to 30% of all employees. 

A direct attack on their wages and 

conditions! 

United Services Union 

Delegates and Officials, along with 

Professionals Australia the CFMEU 

and the PSA were determined to 

inform staff as to the consequences 

of agreeing to management’s offer 

and employees listened, sending a 

strong message back that they were 

not prepared to lose conditions for 

a handful of silver…… as Transgrid 

CEO Paul Italiano acknowledged. 

“In voting no, you have sent a very 

clear message. There has been a lot 

of change at TransGrid over the past 

few years and you are concerned 

about what these changes mean to you 

and your colleagues. I have received 

feedback that these changes are not 

being managed as well as you would 

like and that you are concerned about 

the uncertainty they are creating.” 

In the near future USU 

representatives will be meeting with 

management to discuss options 

for returning to the negotiations 

table. We hope that after the clear 

outcome of the EBA vote that 

management will listen closely 

to future discussions and agree 

to negotiate a fair and equitable 

agreement. 

Watch this space…. 


Sandie shines @ NEXT GEN 

In an amazing tribute to her 

campaigning skills Metro 

Organiser Sandie Morthen won 

the prestigious “Innovative 

Organiser of the Year” Award 

at the ACTU National NexGen17 

Conference. 

In a night surrounded by stars 

of the labour movement Sandie 

shone out and the USU is proud of 

this massive tribute to her. 

Sandie is always a team player 

and acknowledged the strong 

support she has received from USU 

General Secretary Graeme Kelly, 

Metro Manager Steve Donley and 

her super amazing team of USU 

delegates and members. 

Sandie and Graeme talk 

to Liverpool Council 

members at the outset 

of the campaign. 

ACTU Secretary Sally 

McManus and an ME 

Bank representative 

presented Sandie with 

the Award. 

Sandie was nominated for the 

work she performed in galvanising 

USU members and the community 

to support a number of USU 

campaigns, in particular in relation 

to the campaign to “Repel Propel” at 

Liverpool Council. This innovative 

campaign incorporated social 

media, member videos, community 

and social campaigns and political 

negotiations. 

After a campaign that ran almost 

two years Liverpool Council voted in 

March 2017 to end the contract with 

Propel. 


congratulated Sandie on behalf of 

all members and staff. 

A night of stars! 

Bob Hawke had 

conference delegates 

up on their feet 

joining him in a 

strong rendition of 

“Solidarity Forever”. 


JETSTAR EA6: TIME TO TALK 

READY FOR EA6: 

Jetstar delegates Bruce 

Rogers and Darien 

Cincotta with members. 

With the negotiations for the new Jetstar EBA getting ever closer, 

the USU has been talking to members about the Log of Claims. 

For staff who have not seen negotiations take place at Jetstar before, the next 

step is to endorse the claims. 

A few months ago, a survey was completed to find out what members 

cared about leading up to negotiations and new things members are seeking 

to improve working conditions. The National Negotiation team discussed 

these and formed a Log of Claims. 

Now it’s time for members to have a say! 

Union Organiser Nick Herbert held information sessions in the staff lunch 

room, giving members time to grab a sandwich during their break and 

discuss the claims. 

Casual work: A great First step 

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that casual workers, covered by 

the Federal IR system, who work for 12 months on a regular basis can 

request conversion to permanent employment and employers should 

grant it. 

In a world of ever increasing insecurity this decision is a great step 

forward for workers who don’t know what it is like to have a paid sick 

day, a step that moves us towards addressing the crisis of insecure 

work - but we still have a long way to go. 

Are you covered by the Federal IR system and want to find out more 

about transferring to permanent work? Speak to your delegate or 

Union official. 

Virgin 

The Best Airlines Staff in 

Australia/Pacific!! To say thank 

you “They” Want to cut your wage! 

Virgin Australia staff have just 

won Best Airline Staff in Australia/ 

Pacific in the Skytrax World 

Airline Awards. This is a testament 

to the hard work that staff put 

in day in, day out, to ensure 

exceptional services for guests. 

But at the same time, Virgin 

Australia is trying to cut your take 

home pay by cutting penalties and 

overtime. It doesn’t make sense, 

and it isn’t fair. 


PROUD OF OUR WINNERS! 

Our Qantas National Negotiating Team wins Prestigious ACTU Jennie George Award 

At the recent ACTU 90th 

Anniversary Dinner held at the 

new International Convention Centre 

in Sydney, our Qantas Negotiating 

Team was awarded the Jennie George 

Award for their contributions to 

women’s advancement in unions. 

Last year following intense 

bargaining with one of our country’s 

most iconic companies, our members 

were able to secure 10 days paid 

domestic and family violence leave 

and ground-breaking changes to 

paid parental leave that will see the 

primary carer’s superannuation 

increase up to $45,000 by the time of 

retirement. 

These changes have had a direct 

flow on to over 30,000 employees 

of Qantas who now will also see the 

benefit of this success. 

Congratulations!! We are all very 

proud. 

“ 

Over the past five years I, along 

with my USU colleagues, have 

been sleeping out in a paddock 

at the back of Campbelltown to 

raise money for charity. 

So far we have raised about 

$100,000. 

On the 11th August we 

will be sleepING out to 

raise Funds for Youth 

Off the Streets. 

Can you help get young people 

off the streets this winter? Visit 

https://give.everydayhero.com/ 

au/usu-winter-sleepout-2017. 

- USU General Secretary 

Graeme Kelly 

Jennie George Award : ASU Qantas EBA 11 National Negotiating Team 

wins DV leave & super during PPL - national campaign with delegates 

from across all branches. Congratulations to USU delegate and 

Executive member Annamaria Saglimbeni who was part of this team. 

2017 Sleepout - can you help? 


NIB Delegates on the job! 

Since the Enterprise Agreement was finalised early management and at first, 

this year, membership at NIB has continued to they thought that I was the 

grow mainly due to the hard working efforts of the one in trouble. I told them 

active delegates on the job! 

that no I am not in trouble, 

Arising from the EA, the USU has formed a Work I am going to meetings to 

Organising Committee which now comprises five represent our members.” 

delegates from various sections of NIB: Coby Francis, 

Contact Centre and NIB Senior Delegate; Justin Lantry, 

Contact Centre Delegate; Jacinta Boiden, Delegate 

Premium Processing; Kerry Robertson, Delegate Claims 

and David Sneddon, Delegate Retail. Coby and Jacinta 

are representatives on the NSW C&A Committee of 

Management with Coby the President of the Committee. 

The delegates and USU Official Melissa Pond have 

been very busy this year with many changes being 

implemented throughout NIB that have required 

consultation as well as individual issues. 

Coby Francis says that she has seen that people’s 

attitudes are changing about what the Union stands for. 

“People have seen how hard we work for our members. 

They see me all the time going to meetings with 

Since taking over the role of Senior Delegate for 

Newcastle Permanent last year, Danni Hunt has 

been kept very busy indeed! 

Danni has had to tackle some big issues for members 

which affected a significant amount of members 

right across the organisation. 

First was the issue of the out of date Two Person Branch 

Policy which was not being adhered to properly. This 

posed a serious threat to members who worked in a 

branch that may see them having to operate a Branch 

with only two staff. Staff found that they were being 

rostered on with only two people which was not in 

line with the policy. When Danni reviewed the policy, 

she found that it had not been reviewed for years 

and brought it to the attention of the USU. Following 

a meeting with HR a committee was formed which 

included Management, Union and branch employee 

representatives. From that a new policy was formed with 

proper risk management procedures. 

Danni was also alerted to an issue of relief staff not 

receiving their proper payment of travel between home 

to the branch and back again. She found that staff were 

only receiving payment one way. Danni took the matter 

to HR as a dispute and won which resulted in back pay 

for all affected relief staff. 

Coby said that she believes 

that people are impressed 

with the dedication and 

commitment of the work 

place delegates and she has 

also seen members who have been represented praising 

their work and recommending the Union to others. 

“I believe that the visibility of us on the job is really 

helping in getting the word out there about what we 

stand for as well,” Coby said. 

Melissa Pond USU Organiser is confident that 

they will continue to work hard for the benefit of 

the members and continue to see the membership 

grow which in turn will provide much benefit for the 

members’ wages and working conditions into the future. 

Big First Year IN the Senior Delegate Role for Danni! 

It was also brought to 

Danni’s attention that 

Long Service accruals 

were suddenly not being 

shown on pay slips. Danni 

took the matter to senior 

management HR and got the 

matter rectified. 

When it was brought 

to Danni’s attention that 

a significant number of 

Assistant Branch Managers 

were not progressing 

through the classification structure as per the Enterprise 

Agreement, Danni contacted all affected ABM’s and 

found that some had not progressed for years. Danni 

and the USU met with HR and then placed the matter 

in dispute resulting in 14 ABMs being progressed in 

their structures and backpaid with one ABM moving up 

two levels. This is a huge win. 

Danni has also recently been elected as a delegate 

on the NSW C&A Committee of Management which 

will allow her to mix with other delegates from the 

Newcastle Area. This will give her further knowledge 

from delegates in her Industry. 


ted 

Demo Completed 


WE’RE EXCITED! 

Port Macquarie Resort re-opens 

in September - better than ever! 

and Waterproofing 

Our beloved 

ongoingAquatic Hotel and 

Demo 

Caravan 

Completed 

Floor Bedding and Waterproofing ongoing 

Park in Port Macquarie is getting a brand new look. 

The complex will be closed until 

renovations are complete, but 

you can look forward to staying 

there for your next vacation from 

September 12th. 

The new resort will feature up 

to four-star accommodation and 

improved facilities, including a new 

 

pool. 

With renovations in full swing 

The low rates will remain, as well we are looking forward to 

as the option of staying in either the opening in September! 

hotel or caravan park. And Photos of course 

the special discounts for USU 

members are guaranteed! 

Place 

This home away from home is 

proudly brought to you by the 

United Services Union, and exists 

to provide an affordable vacation 

destination for members and their 

families. 


Keep an eye on your inbox 

over the coming months for Demo Completed 

updates on when we will be 

taking bookings. 

Roof Access in Place 

One of 

us has 

to go! 



USU Members also receive SPECIAL RATES AT RTBU Holiday Park at Jervis Bay 

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


Chris Gibbs gets stuck into the renovations 

terproofing ongoing 



Fighting inequality: The USU was out in full 

force at May Day marches across NSW on 

Sunday 7 May. The Sydney march kicked off 

with speeches at Hyde Park with the march 

proceeding down to Prince Alfred Park for 

food, live music and entertainment. 

USU @ MAY DAY 2017 

On the march Flags flying high 

Never too young Fun day for all 

Newcastle 

USU Strong 

Wollongong 


We will never forget 

Earlier this year crowds gathered to remember 

and pay tribute to the three workers killed in 

the Hilton bomb blast 39 years ago. USU General 

Secretary Graeme Kelly spoke at the service and 

paid this tribute to the workers and their families: 

“On the 13th February 1978, thirty-nine years 

ago, two council workers and a police officer went 

to work to do what they did every day: serve the 

community. 

But as they said goodbye to their wives and 

children, none could have imagined they were 

about to fall victim to the first act of terrorism in our 

nation’s history. 

At about 12.40am that Monday morning, Alec 

Carter and William Favell emptied the contents of a 

rubbish bin into the back of a garbage truck. 

USU General Secretary Graeme Kelly and Vice President Glen 

McAtear laid a wreath on the Union’s behalf. 

“We will never 

forget.” Graeme 

Kelly addressed 

the memorial. 

“Upholding the 

pledge.” John 

Hickson addressed 

the memorial. 

As the truck crushed down on the refuse, a bomb 

– reportedly containing 36 sticks of gelignite – 

detonated, killing both men. 

The driver of the garbage truck Bill Ebb and fellow 

council worker John Watson were injured by the 

blast. 

Several members of the NSW Police were also 

struck by the explosion. Constable Paul Birmistriw 

passed away in hospital from his injuries. Constable 

Terry Griffiths, who spoke at this year’s memorial, 

was seriously injured. 

By 8am the Municipal Employees’ Union – now 

the United Services Union – had launched a national 

appeal to support the families. 

Then General Secretary Peter McMahon OAM 

pledged that the trade union movement would never 

forget their deaths in the line of duty. 

Alec and William had both spent their entire 

working lives with the City Of Sydney. 

Their coworkers – still in shock following the news – 

donated their entire pay that day. John Hickson who was 

the delegate at the time spoke at the tribute. 

Other unions, community organisations, and individuals 

made generous contributions, and a series of fundraising 

events were organised. 

Within three months, $150,000 was raised, with every 

cent providing support to Alec’s wife Jean and daughters 

Susan and Christine, along with William’s wife Jeanette and 

daughter Cassandra. 

The death of any worker is a tragedy, but the fact that a 

cold-blooded individual had deliberately placed an explosive 

device just outside this hotel – with the intent of maiming 

and killing – made this incident so much more horrifying. 

Our Union, along with the Police Association of NSW, 

continues to uphold the pledge made 39 years ago that we 

will not forget the sacrifice made by our members that day. 

But more than that, our Union is committed to working 

tirelessly to prevent future workplace deaths.” 


metro Picnic day 2017 

Another great day was had by 

all at the Metro picnic day 

held at Wet n’ Wild on March 

10th - celebrating union 

values with family and friends 

- what could be better? 

Kellie, Melissa, Daniel and Nick 

directing members to the fun 

Turtle fun 

Fun in the sun 

Jurassic! 


Friday fun! 

Ready for a surf! 

smiles all round! 

How wet can we get? 

that wet ... 

Family time 

Watch out! 

Can’t catch me! 

Time for a swim 


after the flood 

Fighting back 

With floods devastating Members at Tweed minor compared to the The effects of this huge 

most of Northern NSW worked throughout loss of life, the cost of plant replacement at one 

earlier this year we the disaster day and night replacing lost equipment time will carry over for 

realise, more than ever, 

to ensure the safety of all will impact on the local years to come and the 

the importance of a 

road users and residents. community for many insurance received will be 

united community. 

The local community 

years. 

a shortfall of $2.2 million 

With communities from 

applauded the 

The mark of death dollars. 

Newcastle to Tweed 

commitment of staff who (pink circle) on items of The total claim for 

Heads devastated by 

floods, USU President went out (leaving their council’s fleet show just repairs to council 

Stephen Birney who own families) to make how devastating the floods infrastructure such as 

lives in the Tweed flood-effected areas safe. were in this regard. 

watched the devastation 

Local lives were lost Tweed Council lost 26 

up close and personal. 

in tragic circumstances 

cars/utes and 39 items 

He also watched a through the flood 

of plant including a 

community grow closer 

which continues to 

Franna crane valued 

as they worked together 

at $455,000.00 and an 

to clean-up and reestablish 

their lives. USU the community to 

be very difficult for 

elevated platform unit 

valued at $330,000.00. 

members were at the comprehend. 

forefront of that clean 

Both these items were 

Long term cost of floods 

up process and we pay 

only recently purchased to 

tribute to them. 

While loss of property is replace ageing plant. 

The mark of death 

(pink circle) on items 

of council’s fleet show 

just how devastating 

the floods were. 


Floods raging in the 

Lismore CBD. 

(photo David Hunt/AAP) 

roads, bridges etc, is over 

the $20 million dollar mark. 

Some 2000 incidents of 

damage were reported and 

inspected and continue 

to be prioritised on an 

as needs basis for urgent 

repairs. 

Some road slips and 

bridge washouts will take 

6-12 months to restore. 

Meanwhile our members 

at Lismore worked tirelessly 

to ensure the community’s 

needs were met during the 

floods and that the massive 

clean up and ongoing 

impact to the community 

is reduced as mush as 

possible. 

Members often had to 

leave their own families 

working above and beyond. 

The USU held a BBQ to 

thank members in Lismore. 


Graeme Kelly thanks 

members in Lismore. 

Time to say thanks 

Rain, hail or shine, local 

council workers are there 

to keep our communities 

going! 

“Our members make us 

proud,” said USU General 

Secretary Graeme Kelly. 

“During times of great 

community stress our 

members stand up and 

get the job done and we 

thank each and every one 

of them.” 

In May, USU General 

Secretary Graeme Kelly 

joined Lismore City 

Council workers at a BBQ 

to thank them for their 

incredible efforts cleaning 

up after the storms that 

rocked Northern NSW in 

March and April. 


Last year’s 

winner of the 

Apprentice 

of the Year 

Corey Ward is 

congratulated 

by President 

Stephen Birney. 

Do you know 

someone who 

should be 

nominated this 

year? 

NOMINATE AN Outs 

We know that all our members are special however at Conference 2017 we 

pay tribute to members who have been nominated for special recognition. 

It’s not too late if you know a member who will qualify for one of these 

special Awards. 

Apprentice and Mentor of the year 

In 2017 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. 

The New Gen USU 

Committee, “New Gen” 

campaigns on issues that 

affect young workers in 

their workplaces. We 

have been concentrating 

on ideas that will attract 

younger workers into 

the Union Movement. 

New Gen is working with 

all Union structures to 

determine a way in which 

to better involve and 

inform younger members 

in the Union. 

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 a special recognition 

Award in 2017. 

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 as 

well. 

The USU New Gen 

Committee proudly 

sponsors this Award and 

welcomes nominations 

for all areas of the USU’s 

membership coverage. 

How to nominate 

Members can nominate 

an apprentice/trainee or 

mentor by visiting our 

website at: www.usu. 

org.au/newgenaward 

and downloading a 

nomination form. 

Nominations close at 

5pm Friday 18th August 

2017. 


Women’s conference Awards 

At the USU Women’s Conference being held on 12th and 13th September two 

special Awards will be presented to USU members whose activism promotes 

women in the trade union movement and in the workplace. 

The USU Women’s 

Conference furthers 

the Union’s resolve to 

draw women into the 

industrial landscape as 

women play a vital role in 

the diversity and growth of 

the Union movement. This 

Conference gives women 

the ability to have a voice 

in an environment where 

opinions are encouraged 

and where participation in 

discussions is supported. 

encouraged to register to 

attend and can do so by 

registering at http://bit.ly/ 

usuwomen2017 

Numbers are limited to 60. 

Edna Ryan Award 

The USU will be awarding 

one member in the Local 

Government and Energy 

and Utilities Branches the 

Edna Ryan Award. 

Edna Ryan had a life of 

extraordinary activism 

on behalf of the working 

class. Her research, 

submissions and lobbying 

were critical in the equal 

pay decision. 

Betty Spears Award 

The USU will be awarding 

one member in the Private 

Sector and Airlines 

Female members are 

tanding member 

Roy Byrnes Community Award 

In December 2009 the Union and community were greatly saddened by 

the sudden passing of United Services Union Organiser, Roy Byrnes. 

Roy 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 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. 

branches the Betty Spears 

Award. 

Betty Spears worked 

tirelessly to pursue 

women’s rights and played 

an instrumental role in the 

1972 Equal Pay campaign. 

Nominations for both 

Awards can be made 

on the USU website. 

Nominations are now open for 

the Roy Byrnes Community 

Contribution Award. 

Nominations close Friday 1st 

September 2017 and can be 

made online at www.usu.org.au/ 

services/roy-byrnes-award 

The winner will be presented 

with a plaque at the USU 

conference this September. 

The Award is equally sponsored 

by Matraville Pharmacy and the 

USU to the value of $500 per 

annum. 


Beware the ticking timebomb 

Carroll & O’Dea partner Michael Barnes focuses on some key aspects of NSW 

Workers Compensation Law. 

Many issues arise in terms of 

an injured person’s workers 

compensation rights and obligations 

and I want to touch on just some of 

those issues. 

Those issues are the effects 

of section 39 of the Workers 

Compensation Act (the Act) on long 

term injured workers, obligations 

on workers to attend for medical 

assessment and the general duty of 

cooperation with the insurer, and 

what is an injury. 

Section 39 means irrespective 

of whether you were injured 

before or after the amendments 

to compensation laws in August 

of 2012, unless your whole person 

impairment is more than 20%, your 

entitlement to weekly compensation 

will stop at most after 260 weeks or 

often said 5 years. 

Section 39 is the ticking time 

bomb and is about to affect injured 

workers right now and will have a 

continuing effect as each injured 

worker hits the five year wall. 

It is important to take early legal 

advice and not to simply give up 

in the face of the often confusing 

paperwork from the insurer or to 

simply accept the insurer’s opinion 

as to your level of whole person 

impairment. The insurer is not acting 

in your interests. 

Contacting your Union for referral 

for advice is at no cost to you and it 

could prove invaluable in exploring 

your options. Simply because your 

workers compensation rights end 

does not mean that you might not 

have other rights, depending on 

how you were injured. 

Workers have a duty to cooperate 

with the insurer and this includes 

attending for appropriate medical 

assessment, however, many of the 

arrangements which the insurer seek 

to put in place focus on the agenda 

or convenience of the insurer and 

not on your reasonable needs and 

circumstances. 

There are nightmare stories 

where an injured worker from the 

country has to get up at 4.00am 

and drive for 2.5 hours to get to 

an airport, to then fly to Sydney 

and wait for an hour to see a 

doctor, have that appointment 

and then have to remain in Sydney 

for a further five hours before 

flying back to the regional airport 

and driving home. The medical 

appointment could have been 

with a doctor in a regional centre. 

If it is an orthopaedic issue then 

such specialists regularly attend in 

regional NSW. 

There are circumstances where 

a Sydney city appointment may 

be reasonable however, there are 

many circumstances where it is 

simply unreasonable. If you need 

accommodation overnight it should 

be at a hotel where there are lifts. It 

is irresponsible and unreasonable for 

a worker in pain, for instance with a 

back, hip or knee injury to have to 

walk up flights of stairs or be forced 

to walk long distances. Paying for 

an airline ticket does not make an 

insurer’s request reasonable. 

The insurer has no unlimited right 

to access your home or a right to 

speak to your family members. 

There could be limited 

circumstances where it would be 

reasonable for the insurer to have 

a representative attend upon your 

home, for example, if there was to 

be a claim for home modifications 

for a severely injured worker. Take 

early advise if your own good sense 

has you thinking the insurer is being 

unreasonable. 

It is important to consider what 

constitutes your injury and it is in 

the interest of the insurer and the 

employer to, in simple terms, bundle 

up a recurring injury as being the 

one injury. 

Do not assume the insurer and/or 

your own treating doctor properly 

understands what constitutes your 

injury. 

Your doctor will understand 

it from a medical perspective 

however, workers compensation is 

a combination of the law and the 

medical circumstances. 

The definition of injury needs 

to be carefully considered. It is a 

complex provision which has been 

considered by the High Court and 

other appellate court. Section 4 of 

the Act states: 

“injury” : 

(a) means personal injury arising 

out of or in the course of 

employment, 

(b) includes a 

“disease injury”, which means: 

(i) a disease that is contracted 

by a worker in the course of 

employment but only if the 

employment was the main 

contributing factor to contracting 

the disease, and 

(ii) the aggravation, acceleration, 

exacerbation or deterioration in 

the course of employment of any 

disease, but only if the employment 

was the main contributing factor 

to the aggravation, acceleration, 

exacerbation or deterioration of 

the disease, and 

(c) does not include (except in 

the case of a worker employed in 

or about a mine) a dust disease, 

as defined by the Workers’ 

Compensation (Dust Diseases) 

Act1942, or the aggravation, 

acceleration, exacerbation or 

deterioration of a dust disease, as 

so defined. 

Do not simply accept that the 

employer has put a label on an 

injury as a reoccurrence. There may 

be a very legitimate argument that 

it is a new injury even if it is to the 

same part of the body. The clock 

may well start again in relation to 

entitlements to be paid, weekly 

compensation and medical expenses 

and may well defer for instance the 

effects of section 39. 

Contact your Union so that you 

can be better informed as to your 

options and as appropriate, be 

referred for legal advice. 

Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers 

Michael Barnes, Partner 


Negotiations Begin @ NEWCASTLE 

The USU has commenced the 

first stage of negotiating a 

new Newcastle City Council 

Enterprise Agreement. 

Formal negotiations commenced 

on the 23rd June 2017 and 

subsequently on 5th July 2017, which 

were facilitated by Rod Harrison 

formerly of the New South Wales 

Industrial Relations Commission. 

Discussions were held to explore 

USU Newcastle City Council 

members met to discuss the 2017 

the principles and structure of an 

Award proposal and future NCC 

“interest based process” to resolve 

Enterprise Agreement processes. 

and develop a new agreement. 

While these negotiations have Macquarie and Cessnock Councils. A joint employees’ survey will 

stalled for various reasons over the Further to scheduled negotiation be distributed to ensure all USU 

past few years, the USU believes meetings, numerous workplace members have a say on the areas 

current Council stability presents visits to various Newcastle Council of improvement in the agreement. 

a perfect opportunity to resolve a worksites will also occur to 

This survey will identify further 

new agreement. The approach of ensure all members are engaged “interests” to ensure all matters can 

“interest based” discussions is an throughout the process. A selection be identified and resolved. 

innovative process which the USU 

has had significant experience with 

resolving neighbouring Enterprise 

Agreements at Port Stephens, Lake 

of “workplace discussions groups” 

for specialist workplace areas of 

Council will be initiated as part of 

this process. 

The USU is the collective voice at 

Newcastle City Council which will 

ensure ALL workers’ voices are 

heard! Collective action WINS! 

UNITED ACTION @ Central Coast 

Strong, collective action 

unfolded at the “first” combined 

USU meeting at Central Coast 

Council, held at Niagara Park 

Sports Stadium on 20th June. 

united USU membership 

A from all areas of Central Coast 

Council resolved a motion of No- 

Confidence in the Interim CEO 

Rob Noble and all members of the 

Executive Leadership Team. 

The motion passed: 

No Confidence Motion in Interim CEO 

Rob Noble and all members of his 

Executive Leadership Team. 

. The shambolic length of time taken by 

the interim CEO and ELT to resolve a 

fully populated organisational structure, 

with currently over 85% of Central Coast 

employees not on the new organisation 

structure of Central Coast Council. 

2. The approach of not wanting to resolve 

matters with our USU representatives 

within appropriate timeframes, which has 

led to no less than matters lodged before 

the NSW IRC for resolution in the first 

half of this year, 2017. 

3. The trend of Council not acting 

in accordance with the Award with 

reoccurring themes such as failing Award 

grievance timeframes and looking to deny 

and or remove members’ basic Award 

entitlements, which includes Council’s 

previous proposals to deny and remove 

employee’s protection of wages and 

conditions under the Local Government 

Act. 

4. The dramatic low level of morale across 

the organisation which has developed 

since the arrival of Rob Noble and his 

Executive Leadership Team 

5. The continual punitive approach taken 

against members of the Union when 

industrial matters are raised and sought 

for resolution. 

6. The lack of transparent engagement 

and lack of respectful industrial 

relationship being promoted by Rob Noble 

and the Executive Leadership Team on the 

rightful place of the Union (USU) within 

Central Coast Council. 

7. The lack of transparent engagement 

and genuine consultation with our Union 

representatives and all Central Coast 

employees regarding all industrial matters. 

These concerns arising from lack 

of genuine consultation, previous 

attempts by Council to attack wages 

and conditions of workers and the 

increase in industrial disputation 

have been sent to the Interim CEO 

and the Administrator. 


How will the recent changes affect your super? 

In the 2016 Federal Budget, the 

Government announced a number of 

changes to super and one of the most 

important changes is the reduction of the 

amount of pre-tax or concessional super 

contributions you can make each financial 

year. 

Concessional or pre-tax super 

contributions 

These are contributions which are taxed 

at the concessional rate of 15% and include 

the Super Guarantee contributions 

paid by your employer on your behalf, 

contributions you may make by way 

of salary sacrifice, and any other tax 

deductible contributions. 

The reduced annual cap (see Table) 

means that you may need to start making 

salary sacrifice contributions earlier so you 

can meet your long-term financial goals. 

However, there is a new provision starting 

in July 2018 to allow you make catch-up 

concessional contributions, but only if your 

total super balance is less than $500,000. 

So if you’re nearing retirement and 

looking to top up your super, you will 

be able to make more concessional 

contributions and reduce your tax at the 

same time. 

What does this change mean 

for you? 

The impact of this change will depend 

on your individual circumstances. But 

generally speaking, it means that you 

may need to think more about your super 

contributions and plan ahead to ensure you 

maximise your super investment. 

And this is where good advice can be 

valuable. Good financial planning advice 

can help you develop a long-term plan 

based on a contribution strategy that suits 

you and your needs. 

Local Government Super offers 

affordable, professional financial planning 

advice to everyone; it doesn’t matter 

whether or not you’re a member of LGS. 

The annual cap on these contributions has been 

reduced as follows: 

Up until 30 June 2017 From 1 July 2017 

Cap of $30,000 per annum, rising to 

$35,000 if you’re aged 50 and over. 

No provision to catch up with extra 

contributions. 

Cap of $25,000 per annum applies to 

everyone regardless of your age. 

From 1 July 2018, if you have less than 

$500,000 in super, you can ‘catch-up’ by 

carrying forward any unused cap amounts up 

to a period of five years. 

If you’d like more details about the changes to super or if you’d like 

to know more about financial planning, call us on 1300 LGSUPER 

(1300 547 873) between 8.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. 

This article has been issued by LGSS Pty Limited (ABN 68 078 003 497) (AFSL 383558), as Trustee for Local 

Government Super (ABN 28 901 371 321). This document contains general information only and does not take into 

account your personal objectives, situation or needs. You should consider obtaining professional financial, taxation 

and/or legal advice tailored to your personal circumstances prior to making any financial decision. 

24 • United Winter 2017 

L0898 USU Winter Journal ad.indd 1 

4/07/2017 1:27:15 PM

Welcome to our Norfolk members 

The USU welcomes our members 

from Norfolk Island. 

Over the past few years the island 

has undergone some immense 

changes in administration and the 

workers at Norfolk Island Regional 

Council are now under the NSW 

Local Government system. 

When the members came to 

negotiate their new EA they 

contacted the USU for help. 

The Council workers of Norfolk 

expressed to us how voiceless they 

felt in these negotiations. Knowing 

the unique circumstances for the 

members there, the USU sent two 

officials to the Island to represent 

the members and explain the 

benefits of being USU! Being there 

was really about giving the workers 

a platform to be heard and a 

reminder that they had a say in their 

wages and working conditions. 

Working together 

- delegates and 

members met with 

USU Officials Sean 

Szabo and Colin 

Drane in April. 

“This is ground-breaking for the United Services Union,” said USU 

General Secretary Graeme Kelly. “The workers on Norfolk have had some 

major changes to their administration and I was proud that we could be on 

hand to send help when it was needed.” 

The Union provided training to our fantastic group of strong delegates 

and activists on Norfolk Island who are ready to ensure all the members get 

a fair go. 

Celebrating NAIDOC week 

NAIDOC week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture, and 

achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. During NAIDOC week local government 

employees who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander are entitled to an additional day of paid 

leave. Blacktown Council member Stephan Jaeggi spoke about why it is important to him. 

“ 

The Laura Dance Festival is held in 

Queensland every 2 years. Stephen 

attended the festival This year and 

did some volunteer work. 

NAIDOC week is important 

to me as it’s a week of 

celebrations of First Nations 

people of Australia. It’s a 

time to celebrate culture and 

a time to share the oldest 

living culture in the world 

with other Australians. It’s 

also a week where you catch 

up with family and friends. 

This year’s NAIDOC theme 

was Our Languages Matter. 

It’s a great initiative of the 

Union to allow Indigenous 

members to have a day off 

during NAIDOC week to be 

able to attend and be part of 

the celebrations. 


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Is Robert our longest serving member? 

1960 was a big year. 

In Australia heat waves killed 

11 in Central Australia and 13 

in Sydney; hotels and theatres 

opened for the first time 

on Anzac Day and the first 

tied cricket test occurred 

- Australia v West Indies - at 

The Gabba. 

Meanwhile in the USA 3,500 

troops were first sent to 

Vietnam and John F Kennedy 

was elected as President. 

Importantly it was also the 

year Robert Westerland join 

his Union ... 

The United Services Union honours the contribution 

of long-standing Sydney Wages Branch member 

Robert Westerland our most indefatigable Union 

member. It appears that Robert maintained the longest 

lasting membership known to the Union, certainly in 

respect of a single period of unbroken employment with 

the same employer. 

While we thank and recognise all members who 

build up lengthy combined totals of active and retired 

membership, Robert appears to have spent the longest 

time known as a working member with full paying 

active membership. Having commenced employment 

at Bankstown Council in early 1960 and continued as 

Shane Clapham, Graeme Kelly and Russell Woods congratulate Robert and his wife. 

a plant operator for more than five and a half decades 

until his retirement in 2015, Robert displayed incredible 

perseverance in his work. Robert represents a model for 

all current and future USU members to look up to, as a 

man of straightforward honesty and integrity. 

The Union recognised Robert with a reception at 

the USU Sydney office where USU General Secretary 

Graeme Kelly and officers of the Sydney Branch 

personally congratulated and thanked him for his 

record breaking service. 

We know all members join the staff and Executive in 

wishing our member with the longest service known to 

the Union all the best in the future. 

VALE Life Member PETER DREW 

The USU is sad to advise of the passing of Life 

Member Peter Drew of Narromine. Peter is 

pictured (centre) celebrating his Life Membership 

Award with some of his fellow delegates from the 

front bench of the North Western Branch. 

Peter was awarded life membership of the USU 

in 2014, after taking a redundancy from his job 

at Narromine Shire Council after many years of 

service to his community and to his fellow Union 

members, as a long time delegate and member of 

the Union. 

Peter continued his commitment to his 

community and also among his fellow Union members 

community and ex-workmates with his election to and the Branch Committee. 

Narromine Shire Council as a Councillor at the first Peter has left us all way too early. We wish to pass on to 

opportunity following his retirement. 

Peter’s wife and family, our condolences, and wish them all 

Peter was a well respected member of the 

the best for the future. 


Celebrations as Life Membership Awarded to Neil Hayward 

Recently USU President Stephen Birney presented long-time member 

Neil Hayward with USU Life Membership and joined his workmates in 

celebrating Neil’s contribution to the USU. 

Neil has been a member of the MEU/USU for 40 years and a delegate and 

member of the Northern Branch Committee of Management for 18 years. 

Neil has been involved in many campaigns and participated on numerous 

committees. He was a member of the Consultative Committee from 1992 

until 2016, most of the time as Chairman and has run Council picnics for 18 

years, given advice and represented members when required. 

Member scores 16 year’s backpay 

When a Mid North Coast Council member approached Port Macquarie Organiser Damien Welsh about 

an allowance based on her use of three languages in her role at the libraries, a process started which 

resulted in the member being paid the allowance back to 2000 resulting in a payout of $6,000! 

Our member initially contacted 

the local organiser and delegate 

in relation to the allowance and 

when advised of her ability to claim, 

approached HR and Management 

to present her case, with assistance 

from the local delegate. 

Over a period of approximately 

8 weeks, discussions with 

Management and HR took place, 

with the member providing evidence 

to support her claim. Council agreed 

to back pay the member from 

August 2016 all the way back to 2000, 

based on an average fortnightly use 

of the skill (this timeframe was put 

forward by the local delegate and the 

member). 

The local organiser, along with the 

delegate and member, reviewed the 

calculation prior to agreeing to the 

final payment. 

In a great result for our member, 

the final back pay was around $6000, 

due to the fact council paid the full 

16 years instead of the 6 years they 

were obligated to pay. 

HR will develop a formal process 

in regard to the use of language 

skills that will involve the member 

recording the use of those skills in a 

diary, then claiming the allowance 

via the use of time sheets (the same 

process as outdoor allowances such 

an the Adverse Working Level 2 

Allowance). To date, the formal 

process has not been released. 

In this case, the member had 

expressed a preference to continue a 

fortnightly payment as an average of 

her use of the skills over time. 

This skill has a high expectation 

from the community and when 

Council used signs to promote the 

service they realised a review about 

when, and to whom, the allowance 

should be paid was due. 

This member had used those 

valuable skills for 16 years without 

being paid any allowance so it is 

great news that our member is now 

being paid appropriately. 

Are you being paid your 

allowances? If you have any doubt 

contact your local delegate or 

organiser or ring the USU Support 

Team on 1300 136 604. 


Mid Coast Water members vow to fight on 

USU members at Mid Coast 

Water face an uncertain time 

as the decision by the Minister 

for Local Government for a 

realignment of operations of Mid 

Coast Water to come under the 

control of Mid Coast Council has 

taken effect. 

From July 1, Mid Coast County 

Council trading as Mid Coast 

Water was dissolved and now comes 

under the control of Mid Coast 

Council. 

USU members have been assured 

three year employment protections 

in accordance with the Proclamation 

handed down from the Office of 

Local Government. The Enterprise 

Agreement has also been protected 

until the expiry date with the 

respondent now being Mid Coast 

Council. 

The members however still 

remain very concerned that 

significant conditions they have 

negotiated in the EA will be in 

jeopardy when re negotiations for 

the agreement go ahead next year 

as they fear that Mid Coast Council 

will seek to attack the conditions 

in an effort to save money. Adding 

to these concerns are that most 

of the administration employees 

and corporate services staff will 

be transferred to other sections of 

The USU met with members 

on 29th June to hear their 

concerns and the members 

have vowed to fight to 

protect their conditions 

when the Enterprise 

Agreement negotiations go 

ahead next year. 

Mid Coast Council and be forced 

out of their Enterprise Agreement 

protections altogether after 3 years. 

The USU met with members on 

29th June to hear their concerns and 

the members have vowed to fight 

to protect their conditions. Some 

members have indicated that they 

will take strike action if necessary 

when the Enterprise Agreement 

negotiations go ahead next year in 

an effort to take a stand to protect 

their EA conditions. 

USU Delegate Matt Welsh says 

“what Mid Coast Council doesn’t 

realise is that we had traded 

conditions over the years to get what 

we have. If they seek to take that 

away, we will have lost everything!” 

Members fear that if their 

employment conditions are lost, 

then this may force quality specialist 

employees who have moved to Taree 

and Forster to work for Mid Coast 

Water to leave the organisation 

altogether. 

The USU vows to stick by the 

members and fight to keep the 

Enterprise Agreement and its 

conditions which are so vitally 

important to the members. 

MSOB farewells Amanda 

It was an emotional day when 

the Metropolitan Salaried 

Officers’ Branch at the 

Committee of Management 

meeting farewelled Amanda 

Keevil who has retired. 

Amanda, who was on the 

MSO Branch for 15 years and 

a Salary Delegate at Ashfield 

Council, was well respected 

and dedicated to her USU 

Delegate position. Amanda was 

also a JCC rep and WHS rep - a 

great local voice for members 

who she always supported. 

Good luck from all of us! 



100 

95 

75 

Winnieinwinter 

USUKIDS 

corner 

25 

5 

0 

3 

W 

What often falls in the winter 

but never gets hurt? 

What did the snowman say to 

the customer? 

Why did the boy keep his 

trumpet in the freezer? 

What happened 

when the icicle 

landed on the 

snowman’s head? 

i 

Unscramble the 

winter word! 

g 

GREAT 

PRIZES TO 

BE WON! 

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. 

100 

95 

75 

25 

Name:___________________________________________________ 

Age: ____________________________________________________ 

Address: _________________________________________________ 

_________________________________________________________ 

5 

0 

Answers - Jokes: Snow, Have an ice day! Because he liked cool music, It knocked him out cold. Wordfind: Snowflake 


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United magazine Winter 2017

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