United magazine Winter 2020
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United magazine Winter 2020

The official journal of the United Services Union

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UNITED<br />

Official journal of the <strong>United</strong> Services Union • <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />

AIRLINES<br />

MEMBERS<br />

STAND<br />

UNITED<br />

NSW LOCAL GOVERNMENT (STATE) AWARD <strong>2020</strong><br />

MEMBERS SAY YES

<strong>United</strong> is the official journal of the <strong>United</strong> Services Union<br />

Editor USU General Secretary Graeme Kelly.<br />

Print Post: 100007536<br />

To contribute to <strong>United</strong> please contact USU<br />

Manager Administration and Finance Erik Jansen on<br />

(02) 9265 8211.<br />

EXECUTIVE<br />

President: Glen McAtear<br />

Vice President: Sharon Sewell<br />

General Secretary: Graeme Kelly<br />

Treasurer: Ross Crawford<br />

Alby Bordignon, Raffaele Catanzariti, Carl Cleaver, Larry<br />

Freeman, Katie Gillen, Arthur Jenkins, James Koval,<br />

Bernardo Lynch, Michael Maggioros, Stephen Mulholland,<br />

Natalie Piggott-Herridge, Jim O’Malley, Anna Maria<br />

Saglimbeni, Thao Tran, David Walsh, Jeff Wearing<br />

HEAD OFFICE<br />

Level 7, 321 Pitt St, Sydney, 2000<br />

Phone: 1300 136 604 • Fax: (02) 9261 2265<br />

Support Team: 1300 136 604<br />

Email: united@usu.org.au • Website: www.usu.org.au<br />

OFFICIALS<br />

Manager Administration and Finance: Erik Jansen<br />

Manager Metropolitan: Steve Donley<br />

Manager Energy, Utilities & Private Sector: Peter Campise<br />

Training Officer: Narelle Rich<br />

Manager Industrial, Rules, Governance & Compliance: Daniel Papps<br />

Legal Special Projects Officer (Metro): Sean Szabo<br />

Metro Organisers: Joel Conomos, Sue Kealy, Sandie Morthen,<br />

Irene Nair, Shane Pinter, Bill O’Kell, Zoe O’Rourke<br />

Energy, Utilities, Private Sector & Airlines: Emily<br />

Callachor, Troy Dunne, Michael Jones, Melissa Pond,<br />

Clare Raffan, Thomas Russell, Paul Sansom<br />

Support Team: Karen Avery, Jenny Chen, Melissa Coros,<br />

Jeny Skutnik<br />

REGIONAL OFFICES<br />

Northern Branch<br />

Newcastle Office:<br />

125 Racecourse Road, Rutherford, NSW 2320<br />

Ph: (02) 4962 1444 • Fax: (02) 4962 1758<br />

Manager North: Stephen Hughes<br />

Organisers: Luke Hutchinson, Steven Thomas, Leith Barber<br />

Industrial Officer: Noel Martin<br />

Port Macquarie Office:<br />

1/157 Gordon Street<br />

Port Macquarie 2444<br />

Ph: (02) 6584 7787<br />

Fax: (02) 6584 6924<br />

Organiser: Damien Welsh<br />

New England Office:<br />

1/226 Goonoo Goonoo Road<br />

South Tamworth 2340<br />

Tel/Fax: (02) 6771 4911<br />

Ph: (02) 6771 4911<br />

Fax: (02) 6771 4911<br />

Organiser: Mark Hughes<br />

Southern Branch<br />

Wollongong Office:<br />

Suites 1-3 100 Market Street Wollongong 2500<br />

Ph: (02) 4226 4784 • Fax: (02) 4227 6951<br />

Manager South: Gary Vann<br />

Organisers: Rudi Oppitz, Aarron Vann<br />

Industrial Officer: Stuart Geddes<br />

Central West Office:<br />

Shop 11-12<br />

142 William Street<br />

Bathurst 2795<br />

Ph: (02) 6334 4825<br />

Fax: (02) 6331 2834<br />

Organiser: Shane Reece<br />

Murray Office:<br />

Unit 7, 54-56 Fitzmaurice St<br />

Wagga Wagga 2650<br />

Ph: (02) 69317990<br />

Fax: (02) 6931 7271<br />

Organiser: Darren Wait,<br />

Jed Lawton<br />

NATIONAL<br />

National Secretary:<br />

Robert Potter<br />

Northern Office:<br />

Shop 2, Mid City Arcade<br />

57 Prince Street<br />

Grafton 2460<br />

Ph: (02) 6643 5299<br />

Fax: (02) 6643 2799<br />

Organiser: John Hickson<br />

North Western Office:<br />

PO Box 1811<br />

2/46 Church Street<br />

Dubbo 2830<br />

Ph: (02) 6881 6766<br />

Fax: (02) 6881 6816<br />

Organiser: Jamie McKinnon<br />

Riverina Office:<br />

Suite 8<br />

165 Lachlan Street<br />

Hay 2711<br />

Ph: (02) 6993 1419<br />

Fax: (02) 6993 1419<br />

Organiser: Brian Harrington<br />

ACT Office:<br />

3/289 Canberra Avenue<br />

FYSHWICK, ACT 2609<br />

Organiser: Poni Ravula<br />

DEMOCRACY DURING COVID-19<br />

“ Our response was swift and<br />

our priority was clear. We<br />

needed to safeguard our<br />

members, delegates, staff and<br />

officials. We also needed to<br />

protect jobs and wages for our<br />

members across all industries.<br />

“<br />

Glen McAtear<br />

USU President<br />

Members, looking back on my<br />

last column I cannot even<br />

fathom the change to our world since<br />

that time.<br />

While this pandemic and its impacts<br />

are far from over I am proud, both as<br />

President and as a rank and file USU<br />

member, of how our union has responded<br />

to the crisis.<br />

Our response was swift and our priority<br />

was clear. We needed to safeguard<br />

our members, delegates, staff and<br />

officials. We also needed to protect<br />

jobs and wages for our members<br />

across all industries.<br />

Our union membership is diverse.<br />

The first of our members to be impacted<br />

were our airlines members.<br />

The Federal government was still resisting<br />

our calls for a wage subsidy<br />

when the airlines were shut down<br />

leaving thousands distressed and unsure<br />

of the future.<br />

The announcement of the JobKeeper<br />

subsidy relieved some stress but not<br />

for our local government members<br />

who were excluded, as were many casuals<br />

and still some aviation workers.<br />

We did not sit on our hands. Graeme<br />

and the team have worked tirelessly<br />

on all levels to make sure our members<br />

and their families could get through<br />

the crisis. Not only that, we held negotiations<br />

for our Local Government<br />

Award and, despite not being able<br />

to hold mass meetings, retained the<br />

democratic right of members to vote.<br />

The results were resounding and I<br />

thank members for their positive response<br />

to the postal ballot.<br />

I could continue to thank every<br />

executive member, official, staff<br />

member, delegate and member,<br />

however I would need a couple of<br />

extra pages! Please read the journal<br />

to find out more. In the meantime I<br />

will let USU member Nalini have the<br />

final say - she sums up the sentiments<br />

of myself and many members.<br />

Hi USU Team<br />

I just wanted to say thank you for all<br />

your hard work during the COVID-19<br />

crisis.<br />

The information and updates you<br />

provide are excellent - clear and<br />

concise at a time when the world<br />

is full of confusion and uncertainty.<br />

And the lobbying you have done for<br />

all Australians is vital to our nation’s<br />

future and recovery.<br />

Whilst I’m not personally impacted,<br />

it just highlights how important and<br />

relevant Unions are.<br />

Nalini, USU member<br />

2 • <strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong>

WE ARE ALWAYS<br />

BY YOUR SIDE<br />

It is hard to comprehend what we<br />

have gone through since our last<br />

<strong>magazine</strong>. Devastating bushfires, an<br />

ongoing and severe drought and<br />

now a worldwide pandemic that has<br />

struck at the very heart of our society.<br />

It has kept family from family and<br />

friends apart. It has changed the way<br />

we socialise, the way we work and<br />

the way we travel.<br />

Through all of it I am proud to say that<br />

the USU and our members have continued<br />

to fight for what we have always<br />

stood for – respect and a fair go.<br />

I am heartened to see included in<br />

this journal stories that pre-date the<br />

Covid-19 shutdowns. Our metro picnic<br />

day, our walk to Save Our Sons and<br />

even a healthy challenge from members<br />

at Goulburn Mulwaree Council<br />

to compete for the Depot games.<br />

These things are not only reminders<br />

of a simpler time but they are also<br />

promises of a better future.<br />

Our members have been impacted by<br />

this crisis on so many levels it is hard<br />

for me to identify one group who is<br />

not doing it tough – either because<br />

their industry has been shut down or<br />

because they work in an essential service<br />

that meant facing the virus full<br />

on and ensuring the safety and wellbeing<br />

of our community.<br />

Our airlines members were hit hard<br />

and continue to struggle, as not<br />

only international travel but also<br />

“<br />

We had two main aims<br />

– to keep staff, officials,<br />

delegates and members<br />

safe and to protect<br />

our members’ jobs,<br />

wages and conditions.<br />

That fight continues. I<br />

urge you to stay safe.<br />

We are by your side.<br />

“<br />

Graeme Kelly OAM<br />

USU General Secretary<br />

Australia-wide travel is curtailed.<br />

The airlines are reviewing their operations,<br />

making workers unsure of<br />

what is in store. This was made worse<br />

by the announcement in April that<br />

Virgin Australia were being put into<br />

administration.<br />

While this has been devastating we<br />

have seen the fighting spirit of our<br />

members as they stand together<br />

(safely) and call for a fair go from the<br />

Morrison Government.<br />

While JobKeeper has kept many families<br />

afloat it has also left many behind.<br />

Our aviation workers across Australia<br />

are calling for “AviationKeeper”, recognising<br />

that this payment needs to<br />

extend beyond September and needs<br />

to apply to all workers.<br />

I am proud that we have been able to<br />

lobby government for child care subsidies<br />

and a local government stimulus<br />

package. The union is extremely<br />

proud to have successfully negotiated<br />

the Splinter Award when local government<br />

workers were left out of the<br />

JobKeeper scheme.<br />

As outlined by our President Glen<br />

McAtear, through all of this we have<br />

also been able to successfully negotiate<br />

and hold a successful ballot on<br />

our Local Government Award.<br />

I wish to thank the USU Executive for<br />

responding in such a strong and positive<br />

way to protecting our staff, officials,<br />

delegates and members.<br />

Despite restrictions on how we have<br />

been able to operate we have represented<br />

our members as successfully<br />

as ever. From the beginning of this crisis<br />

we had two main aims – to keep<br />

staff, officials, delegates and members<br />

safe and to protect our members’<br />

jobs, wages and conditions. That fight<br />

continues. I urge you to stay safe.<br />

<strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong> • 3

AWARD <strong>2020</strong>:<br />

9<br />

As members are aware the union<br />

usually conducts over 350 mass<br />

meetings across every council in NSW<br />

to make sure members have a say in<br />

their Award.<br />

Covid-19 put a stop to that - but it<br />

could not put a stop to our democratic<br />

process. We looked at all our<br />

options and decided that a postal ballot<br />

sent directly to members was the<br />

best way to ensure as many members<br />

as possible could vote.<br />

TIME FRAME<br />

The time frame that we had to adopt<br />

regarding the mail out was regrettably<br />

tight. This arose because we were not<br />

in a position to finalise the information<br />

to go out with the postal ballots until<br />

we had finalised negotiations, and the<br />

Employer’s Association LGNSW Board<br />

had endorsed the Award package.<br />

A BIG THUMBS UP!<br />

98.36% SAY YES<br />

L-R: USU Manager Industrial, Rules, Governance and Compliance Daniel Papps; USU General<br />

Secretary Graeme Kelly OAM; USU Manager Administration and Finance, Erik Jansen; Assistant<br />

Secretary of Unions NSW and independent scrutineer Thomas Costa; USU Database Administrator,<br />

Alicia Miller; USU Returning Officers Merv Muggleton and Scott Peterson after the count.<br />

Since mid 2019 the USU has been involved in ongoing negotiations for the <strong>2020</strong> NSW Local Government (State)<br />

Award. These negotiations were difficult with every aspect of the Award – including some of your most basic<br />

working conditions targeted in the initial Log of Claims by the Employer’s Association LGNSW.<br />

In this Award, the USU has been able to secure an Award package<br />

focussing on improvements to job security with a wage increase of 5.5%<br />

over three years. Additionally there will be a further 1% superannuation<br />

guarantee increase, bringing the total package to 6.5% over three years.<br />

The first wage increase applied from the first full pay period in July <strong>2020</strong><br />

and will be 1.5% with further increases of 2% to apply from the first full<br />

pay period in July 2021 and July 2022.<br />

THE PROCESS<br />

We immediately had to print almost 26,000 individual ballot forms, envelopes<br />

and information packages to be mailed out by priority post. The closing<br />

date of the 26th of June was determined by the availability of the Industrial<br />

Commissioner who was dealing with the Award.<br />

THANK YOU<br />

I thank our key negotiators Stephen Hughes and Daniel Papps, and on behalf<br />

of the USU Executive I thank all members who participated in the ballot.<br />

Graeme Kelly OAM<br />

General Secretary<br />

<strong>United</strong> Services Union<br />

4 • <strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong>

8.36% SAY YES!<br />

WEB RESOURCES FOR MEMBERS<br />

Due to Covid-19 restrictions we were prevented from holding<br />

the 350 or so mass meetings across NSW Councils that we traditionally<br />

hold to vote on the Award.<br />

However we did produce a summary of clause changes as well<br />

as videos of USU General Secretary Graeme Kelly and the Award<br />

negotiators, Managers Stephen Hughes and Daniel Papps discussing<br />

the Award changes. We also included individual videos<br />

of each clause change which our members could watch on our<br />

website at www.usu.org.au/award<strong>2020</strong>.<br />

CHECK OUT HOW MEMBERS AT YOUR COUNCIL VOTED!<br />

Employer Yes No Informal<br />

Albury City Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Armidale Regional Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Ballina Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Balranald Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Bathurst Regional Council 97.30% 2.70% 0.00%<br />

Bayside Council 97.92% 2.08% 0.00%<br />

Bega Valley Shire Council 86.96% 4.35% 8.70%<br />

Bellingen Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Berrigan Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Blacktown City Council 95.00% 4.58% 0.42%<br />

Bland Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Blayney Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Blue Mountains City Council 97.37% 0.00% 2.63%<br />

Bogan Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Bourke Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Brewarrina Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Burwood Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Byron Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Cabonne Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Camden Council 96.30% 3.70% 0.00%<br />

Campbelltown City Council 91.30% 8.70% 0.00%<br />

Canada Bay City Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Canterbury-Bankstown<br />

Council 98.06% 0.65% 1.29%<br />

Carrathool Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Castlereagh Macquarie<br />

County Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Central Coast Council 98.02% 1.65% 0.33%<br />

Central Darling Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Central Tablelands Water 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Cessnock City Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Clarence Valley Council 98.33% 0.00% 1.67%<br />

Cobar Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Coffs Harbour City Council 95.74% 2.13% 2.13%<br />

Coolamon Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Coonamble Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Cootamundra-Gundagai<br />

Regional Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Cowra Shire Council 92.86% 7.14% 0.00%<br />

Cumberland Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Dubbo Regional Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Dungog Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Edward River Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Eurobodalla Shire Council 97.50% 2.50% 0.00%<br />

Fairfield City Council 99.11% 0.89% 0.00%<br />

Federation Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Forbes Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Georges River Council 99.11% 0.89% 0.00%<br />

Gilgandra Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Glen Innes Severn Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Goulburn Mulwaree Council 79.31% 20.69% 0.00%<br />

Greater Hume Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Griffith City Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Gunnedah Shire Council 96.88% 0.00% 3.13%<br />

Gwydir Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Hawkesbury City Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Hay Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Hilltops Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Hornsby Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Hunters Hill Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Inner West Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Inverell Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Junee Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Kempsey Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Kiama Municipal Council 97.50% 2.50% 0.00%<br />

Ku-Ring-Gai Council 97.22% 2.78% 0.00%<br />

Kyogle Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Lachlan Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Lake Macquarie City Council 99.09% 0.91% 0.00%<br />

Lane Cove Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Leeton Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Lismore City Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Lithgow City Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Liverpool City Council 98.89% 0.00% 1.11%<br />

Liverpool Plains Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Lockhart Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Maitland City Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

MidCoast Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Mid-Western Regional Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Moree Plains Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Mosman Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Murray River Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Murrumbidgee Council 96.43% 0.00% 3.57%<br />

Muswellbrook Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Nambucca Valley Council 91.67% 8.33% 0.00%<br />

Narrabri Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Narrandera Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Narromine Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Newcastle City Council 99.12% 0.00% 0.88%<br />

North Sydney Council 93.94% 3.03% 3.03%<br />

Northern Beaches Council 97.96% 0.00% 2.04%<br />

Oberon Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Orange City Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

POSTAL BALLOT<br />

RESULT<br />

98.36% YES<br />

1.23% NO<br />

0.41% INFORMAL.<br />

Parkes Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Parramatta Council 95.60% 4.40% 0.00%<br />

Penrith City Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Port Macquarie-Hastings<br />

Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Port Stephens Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Queanbeyan-Palerang<br />

Regional Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Randwick City Council 97.73% 2.27% 0.00%<br />

Richmond Tweed<br />

Regional Library 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Richmond Valley Council 95.24% 0.00% 4.76%<br />

Rous County Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Ryde City Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Shellharbour City Council 92.98% 7.02% 0.00%<br />

Shoalhaven City Council 98.89% 1.11% 0.00%<br />

Singleton Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Snowy Monaro<br />

Regional Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Snowy Valleys Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Strathfield Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Sutherland Shire Council 99.19% 0.81% 0.00%<br />

Tamworth Regional Council 97.73% 2.27% 0.00%<br />

Temora Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Tenterfield Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

The Hills Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Tweed Shire Council 97.96% 0.00% 2.04%<br />

Upper Hunter Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Upper Lachlan Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Upper Macquarie<br />

County Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Uralla Shire Council 88.89% 11.11% 0.00%<br />

Wagga Wagga City Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Walcha Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Walgett Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Warren Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Warrumbungle Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Waverley Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Weddin Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Wentworth Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Willoughby City Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Wingecarribee Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Wollondilly Shire Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Woollahra Municipal Council 100.00% 0.00% 0.00%<br />

Yass Valley Shire Council 90.00% 10.00% 0.00%<br />

Grand Total 98.36% 1.23% 0.41%<br />

Members can check out details of the new Award and other Award resources at www.usu.org.au/award<strong>2020</strong>/<br />

<strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong> • 5

MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE<br />

On 19 June <strong>2020</strong>, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) announced a 1.75% increase to minimum wages which<br />

will apply to all award wages.<br />

The FWC ordered the increase be delayed in its implementation<br />

across different sectors and categories of<br />

workers.<br />

The pay rise will apply for human services and front line<br />

workers from 1 July; construction, manufacturing clerks<br />

and workers in other industries from 1 November; and<br />

arts, retail and hospitality, tourism and aviation sector<br />

workers from 1 February 2021.<br />

For anyone not covered by an award or an agreement, the<br />

new national minimum wage will be $753.80 per week or<br />

$19.84 per hour. This applies from the first full pay period<br />

starting on or after 1 July <strong>2020</strong>.<br />

While acknowledging the calls by employer groups, the<br />

Commission argued that if it did not increase wages, some<br />

families could be forced into “poverty”.<br />

“Some low paid households are plainly experiencing significant<br />

disadvantage,” FWC President Iain Ross said.<br />

“An increase in minimum wages would assist these employees<br />

to better meet their needs.”<br />

ACTU Secretary Sally McManus said the decision did not<br />

go far enough in supporting vulnerable workers, but said<br />

a pay rise was better than no increase.<br />

“It is clear in the decision that this panel of experts recognise<br />

that cutting wages in the middle of this crisis would<br />

be a disaster for working people and the economy and<br />

they have rejected the arguments put by some employers<br />

to effectively cut wages by freezing the minimum wage,”<br />

Ms McManus said.<br />

“Many of the workers who will benefit directly from this<br />

decision are the essential workers who have been getting<br />

us through the pandemic. They deserve to have their wages<br />

protected,” she said.<br />

WHO DOES THE INCREASE APPLY TO?<br />

The 1.75% increase applies to the national minimum wage<br />

and will apply to minimum rates in awards in 3 stages.<br />

The increase doesn’t affect employees who already get<br />

paid more than their new minimum wage.<br />

INTERACTION WITH THE JOBKEEPER PAYMENT<br />

The new minimum wage also applies to any work an employee<br />

performs while they’re in the JobKeeper scheme,<br />

if they get their pay rate from an award or the national<br />

minimum wage. See JobKeeper and the Annual Wage<br />

Review <strong>2020</strong> (https://bit.ly/3djEbVS) on the JobKeeper<br />

wage subsidy scheme page (https://bit.ly/3epLrRf) for<br />

more information.<br />

WHEN WILL MY AWARD INCREASE?<br />

The increase to awards will happen in 3 groups.<br />

Group 1 Awards – from 1 July <strong>2020</strong><br />

Group 2 Awards – from 1 November <strong>2020</strong><br />

Group 3 Awards – from 1 February 2021<br />

GROUP 2<br />

The new minimum wages will start in the following<br />

awards from the first full pay period starting on or after 1<br />

November <strong>2020</strong>.<br />

Clerks—Private Sector Award<br />

Contract Call Centres Award<br />

Legal Services Award<br />

Real Estate Industry Award<br />

Telecommunications Services Award<br />

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?<br />

The Commission will issue draft determinations and orders<br />

about how this decision affects awards. It will then<br />

update the pay rates in each award – they are working on<br />

updates to our pay tools, information and resources with<br />

the new rates.<br />

The USU will keep you informed as updates are received<br />

from the Commission.<br />

6 • <strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong>

BY YOUR SIDE<br />

When the Covid-19 crisis hit and workplaces were being shut down<br />

the USU began negotiations to protect our members. When JobKeeper<br />

and free child care services were announced, local government was<br />

catastrophically excluded. The USU took action:<br />

LOCAL GOVERNMENT SPLINTER AWARD<br />

Negotiated between local government unions, councils, and employer association<br />

Local Government NSW, over 100 councils signed on to the Local<br />

Government (COVID-19) Splinter Award <strong>2020</strong> which was designed to deal specifically<br />

with the effects of the COVID-19 health crisis, operating in addition to<br />

the existing award and any enterprise agreements at individual councils.<br />

Councils were required to look for other suitable work for employees whose<br />

usual jobs were impacted by mandatory closures or other changes, and where<br />

this wasn’t possible those workers be paid a weekly job retention allowance of<br />

$858.20 for a period of 13 weeks. Employees can supplement that allowance<br />

from their accrued annual or long service leave, taking it up to their ordinary<br />

pay rate.<br />

It also entitles employees to up to four weeks of Special Leave at their normal<br />

pay rate to cover any period where no work can be provided, including if an<br />

employee is required to self-isolate.<br />

USU General Secretary Graeme Kelly said the agreement was designed to save<br />

jobs and provide financial security to local government workers facing the dramatic<br />

impacts of the current pandemic.<br />

CHILD CARE PACKAGE FOR COUNCIL RUN CHILDREN’S SERVICES<br />

As a result of strong lobbying of the State Government by the <strong>United</strong><br />

Services Union as well as other industry unions and employer organisation<br />

LGNSW, in April the Premier announced a $133 million package for childcare<br />

services across New South Wales – including local councils. This was a huge<br />

win for childcare workers and centres in local government, as several councils<br />

had already announced the need to shut centres at the height of the crisis.<br />

$82 million was provided to local councils to ensure council-run facilities received<br />

the same level of support as private providers with an additional $51<br />

million for preschools.<br />

As the largest provider of child care services, this funding was essential to ensure<br />

these important services, particularly in rural and regional communities,<br />

can continue to operate.<br />

Throughout this crisis the USU has continued to inform members via<br />

email, our website and social media. Further updates are available on<br />

our website. Please also ensure your contact details are up to date and<br />

follow us at www.facebook.com/<strong>United</strong>ServicesUnion<br />

The National NAIDOC Committee<br />

has announced NAIDOC Week<br />

celebrations will be held from<br />

8-15 November <strong>2020</strong>.<br />

As members would be aware<br />

NAIDOC week celebrations are<br />

held across Australia each July to<br />

celebrate the history, culture, and<br />

achievements of Aboriginal and<br />

Torres Strait Islander people.<br />

Due to Covid-19 restrictions the<br />

National NAIDOC Committee has<br />

announced NAIDOC Week celebrations<br />

will be held from 8-15<br />

November <strong>2020</strong>.<br />

ONE DAY’S LEAVE - the<br />

<strong>2020</strong> Local Government<br />

(State) Award states:<br />

Clause 21. Holidays A. GENERAL<br />

(ii) In addition to subclause (i), employees<br />

who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait<br />

Islanders shall be entitled to one day<br />

during NAIDOC week so that they can<br />

participate in National Aboriginal and<br />

Islander Day celebrations. Eligible<br />

employees shall provide the employer<br />

with at least seven (7) days’ notice<br />

of their intention to take the holiday<br />

in accordance with this subclause,<br />

provided that if less than seven (7) days’<br />

notice is given such leave shall not be<br />

unreasonably refused.<br />

This year the USU recommends<br />

that you notify your employer of<br />

your intention to take leave by no<br />

later than Friday 30 October <strong>2020</strong>.<br />

If you have any questions about<br />

an entitlement to leave during<br />

NAIDOC week, contact your local<br />

USU Organiser or the USU head<br />

office on 1300 136 604.<br />

<strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong> • 7

The walk to save our sons<br />

On 23 February<br />

<strong>2020</strong> your<br />

<strong>United</strong> Services<br />

Union Executive<br />

participated<br />

in the Save<br />

Our Sons Walk<br />

4 Duchenne.<br />

Thank you to<br />

members who<br />

joined the walk<br />

or sponsored<br />

our team to help<br />

raise funds for<br />

this vital cause.<br />

WHAT IS DUCHENNE?<br />

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most<br />

common muscle disease of childhood. One in every<br />

3,500 newborn boys have Duchenne. Very rarely it<br />

also affects girls (approximately 1 in 50 million girls).<br />

It occurs across all races and cultures.<br />

Symptoms of Duchenne usually appear between<br />

ages two and five years and may include difficulty:<br />

running, jumping, climbing and rising from the floor,<br />

frequent falls, enlarged calf muscles, toe walking and<br />

delays in language development. The first muscles<br />

affected are those around the hips and upper thigh.<br />

Weakness gradually progresses to include all the<br />

muscles used for movement (skeletal muscles), the<br />

muscles used for breathing and the heart.<br />

What is the<br />

Save Our Sons (SOS) Duchenne<br />

Foundation is a not-for-profit charity<br />

dedicated to raising critical funds to find<br />

a cure for those living with Duchenne<br />

muscular dystrophy (Duchenne), whilst<br />

also enhancing the quality of life for those<br />

living with the condition.<br />

Over the past 11 years SOS have raised<br />

over $20 Million, which has been used<br />

towards research and programs.<br />

Find out more: www.saveoursons.org.au or www.walk4duchenne.com.au/<br />

8 • <strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong>

USU TRAINING<br />

LEADING THE WAY<br />

USU Delegates are at the forefront of our efforts to represent our members and keep them up to date<br />

with information and the USU is very serious about our job of ensuring that we provide continuing<br />

development for our Delegates in this space.<br />

During the COVID-19 pandemic,<br />

USU Educator Narelle Rich has<br />

been updating our Delegate Basics<br />

and USU@WORK training programs,<br />

including a review of existing and creating<br />

new resources, activities and<br />

of course the part the delegates love<br />

most, role plays.<br />

In addition to this, Narelle has been<br />

busy creating “Lunch and Learn” or<br />

LNL training sessions which are currently<br />

being rolled out. These LNL<br />

sessions are not meant in any way to<br />

detract from or replace our delegate<br />

training program. Delegate Basics<br />

and USU@WORK still require face to<br />

face education and interaction and it<br />

would be impossible to recreate this in<br />

the online world. They are a complementary<br />

set of short courses which<br />

can be delivered at lunch time, during<br />

a WOC meeting or even after hours, to<br />

assist delegates in keeping up to date.<br />

For newly elected delegates they<br />

provide invaluable skills for those<br />

who have not yet been able to attend<br />

Delegate Basics training as there<br />

were a number of courses which had<br />

to be postponed due to the current<br />

pandemic conditions. As well for experienced<br />

delegates, the training offers<br />

a terrific opportunity to brush up<br />

on skills delegates already have and<br />

serve as a revision of their skills and<br />

knowledge.<br />

It is hoped that these LNL sessions will<br />

continue to be helpful to our delegates<br />

beyond COVID, as a way to complement<br />

our Delegate Education Program.<br />

Delegate Basics: 2 days in the training room PLUS ongoing support<br />

USU@WORK: 2 days in the training room<br />

Followed by 8 x 1 hour formal mentoring sessions with your Organiser<br />

PLUS ongoing support<br />

LNL: 1 hour lunch time sessions which can also be delivered at your<br />

Branch Committee of Management Meetings (BCOM )or Workplace<br />

Organising Committee Meetings (WOC)<br />

LNL topics so far include:<br />

CHECK-CI<br />

CHECK-CI<br />

CHECK-CI<br />

CHECK-CI<br />

CHECK-CI<br />

CHECK-CI<br />

CHECK-CI<br />

CHECK-CI<br />

Introduction to Zoom Conferencing<br />

Building Union Power<br />

Recruitment Training<br />

Delegate Rights and Responsibilities<br />

Support Person / Union Delegate Representation<br />

The Award<br />

Specific Award Clauses<br />

Grievance Handling<br />

“Lunch and<br />

Learn” or<br />

LNL training<br />

sessions are<br />

currently being<br />

rolled out.<br />

A reminder that Narelle also delivers training on a fee for service basis, including<br />

Consultative Committee (JCC), Health and Safety Representative (HSR) and<br />

other bespoke training that employers may require.<br />

Should you have any questions at all about either Delegate Training or fee for<br />

service training that can be delivered at your workplace, please email Narelle<br />

nrich@usu.org.au or call her on 0419 128 497 to discuss your training needs.<br />

<strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong> • 9

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10 • <strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong>

ACCESSING YOUR PERSONAL FILE<br />

At a recent USU Branch meeting the issue of old or incorrect information on employees’ personal files being used<br />

against them by their employer especially on related issues was raised. Manager North Stephen Hughes discusses<br />

this important issue:<br />

The Local Government (State) Award has contained important<br />

rights for employee’s access to their personal<br />

file and what it contains for over two decades.<br />

The <strong>2020</strong> NSW Local Government (State) Award states:<br />

Clause 37. Disciplinary Procedures<br />

A. EMPLOYEE’S RIGHTS<br />

Notwithstanding the procedures below, an employee<br />

shall:<br />

(i) Have access to their personal files and may take notes<br />

and/or obtain copies of the contents of the file.<br />

(ii) Be entitled to sight, note and/or respond to any<br />

information placed on their personal file which may<br />

be regarded as adverse.<br />

(iii) Be entitled to make application to delete or amend<br />

any disciplinary or other record mentioned on<br />

their personal file which the employee believes is<br />

incorrect, out of date, incomplete or misleading.<br />

(iv) Be entitled to request the presence of a Union<br />

Representative and/or the involvement of their Union<br />

at any stage.<br />

Note: there is also a subclause (v) but it is unrelated to<br />

the matter regarding personal files.<br />

Address-<br />

THE USU STRONGLY ADVISES EVERY<br />

MEMBER TO REQUEST ACCESS TO THEIR<br />

PERSONAL FILE/S AT LEAST ANNUALLY.<br />

To assist with this we have a standard form for our members<br />

who work in NSW Local Government to use in seeking<br />

access to their personal information retained by their<br />

employer.<br />

This form will be made available through our delegates and<br />

officials for use by USU members.<br />

Over the years we regularly receive complaints from members<br />

who have been disciplined or who may have been<br />

overlooked for promotion that incorrect, misleading,<br />

incomplete or out of date (old) information on their employee<br />

records (personal file) has been used against them<br />

to their detriment especially in unfair dismissals and bypassing<br />

steps on what should be a first warning to show<br />

cause or termination that on its own is not warranted.<br />

Councils are required by law to retain certain records for at<br />

least 7 years, however the USU has had success in having<br />

what we consider to be out of date records (more than 2<br />

years) removed from the file and sealed and stored until disposed<br />

of once the 7 year period of record keeping is reached.<br />

This prevents the information in the sealed record being<br />

used against the employee.<br />

In 1998/99 while working as a USU Organiser in Sydney<br />

I had an inner city Council seek to adopt a HR policy that<br />

nothing would be considered out of date and therefore<br />

would be retained on personal files indefinitely.<br />

I had the members lodge a grievance and after HR refused<br />

to accept the out of date provision in the Award I took the<br />

matter to the NSW IRC.<br />

The representative for the Employers in the dispute<br />

admitted during proceedings that the out of date provision<br />

was valid and with the assistance of the Commission it was<br />

decided that “out of date” was for a period after 2 years for<br />

example 2 years and 1 day.<br />

The USU has many examples of Councils agreeing to review<br />

file contents and removing them after months, subject<br />

to positive review rather than waiting 2 years. These outcomes<br />

have almost always been as a result of the Union’s<br />

involvement.<br />

While the Award provides employees with the above rights,<br />

it also places a responsibility on the employee to make<br />

application to first access their information and to then further<br />

seek to request any specific out of date information be<br />

removed or to have misleading information amended.<br />

The employee has the right to add to their file any information<br />

they wish to add which can provide context or refute<br />

anything they don’t fully agree with.<br />

Too often in unfair dismissal cases the Commission questions<br />

why old or allegedly misleading information was left<br />

by the employee unchallenged on the file.<br />

An employee could also provide permission for their Union<br />

to have access to their file, but this should be done in writing<br />

and signed to avoid privacy law issues.<br />

Most of our members will not likely have anything of concern<br />

on their files but there would most likely be hundreds<br />

who do and many would be unaware.<br />

If you have been disciplined over 2 years ago, we would advise<br />

you to access your file as soon as possible and to make<br />

application to remove out of date information.<br />

If the information of concern is less than 2 years old, you<br />

should seek to have it amended or attach your own notes<br />

which refutes any issue/s of concern.<br />

The Award contains many positive rights but if you don’t<br />

know of them and act on them you will not get the full<br />

benefit of your Award.<br />

<strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong> • 11

NEVER FORGOTTEN<br />

USU President Glen<br />

McAtear and USU General<br />

Secretary Graeme Kelly<br />

OAM join Opposition<br />

Leader Jodi McKay and<br />

others to pay tribute.<br />

13 February <strong>2020</strong> marked the 42nd Anniversary of the tragic Hilton Hotel<br />

Bombing. In 1978, three workers were tragically killed by a bomb outside of<br />

the Hilton Hotel. As we do each year the USU gathered to commemorate USU<br />

(MEU) members and garbage men Alec Carter and William Favell, as well as<br />

Paul Birmistriw who was a policeman stationed at the hotel.<br />

To pay tribute members of the <strong>United</strong> Services Union, the NSW police, family<br />

and friends attended a memorial dedicated to those lost and their families.<br />

We will never forget these workers.<br />

Find out more: www.usu.org.au/hilton-bombing-<strong>2020</strong>/<br />

Never forgotten<br />

by their<br />

workmates.<br />

USU President Glen McAtear<br />

pays tribute to the workers<br />

killed that day.<br />

USU WIN @ INNER WEST<br />

On 5 March at the Inner West<br />

Council, USU Manager Metro<br />

Steve Donley and Inner West Council<br />

CEO Michael Deegan signed three<br />

Council agreements ensuring the Inner<br />

West is one of the leading Councils in<br />

NSW Local Government in employment<br />

conditions for outdoor workers.<br />

conditions and pay for different workers<br />

doing the same work.<br />

The Inner West Council was formed<br />

from Ashfield, Leichhardt and<br />

Marrickville as part of the amalgamation<br />

of councils in 2016. This resulted<br />

in a multitude of agreements from<br />

the different councils, giving varying<br />

In negotiation with the USU, the<br />

Inner West Council transitioned<br />

into new agreements to harmonise<br />

better working conditions rather than<br />

Read more: www.usu.org.au/members-win-inner-west-and-usu-sign-council-agreements/<br />

taking the easy option of removing<br />

agreements and reverting back to the<br />

Award. Steve Donley congratulated<br />

USU delegates at Inner West Council<br />

for the work they put in to ensure the<br />

best deal for members was reached.<br />

12 • <strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong>

Helping our members through COVID-19<br />

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the lives of all Australians.<br />

The spread of the virus around the world has not only been a health issue, it has also affected our<br />

families, our workplaces, our finances, and of course, our super.<br />

received a record number<br />

LGS of calls during the height<br />

of the crisis in March and is continuing<br />

to support members with information,<br />

market updates, and advice<br />

to help them manage their super during<br />

this period of uncertainty.<br />

Easing of restrictions has<br />

boosted confidence<br />

As the number of COVID-19 infections<br />

increased rapidly across the<br />

country, business and social restrictions<br />

triggered a sharp decline on the<br />

Australian share market, falling more<br />

than 30% over just a few weeks in<br />

February and March.<br />

Over May and June, many of the<br />

business and social restrictions were<br />

eased. This boosted confidence and<br />

the share market regained more than<br />

half of the earlier losses.<br />

Source: Yahoo Finance<br />

However, share markets around the<br />

world are likely to remain volatile<br />

until an effective vaccine, or at least<br />

a treatment for COVID-19, becomes<br />

widely available.<br />

How LGS’ diversified investment<br />

portfolio benefits members<br />

It’s important to know that LGS does<br />

not invest solely in the share market.<br />

In fact, LGS invests in a diverse range<br />

of assets including property, infrastructure,<br />

private equity, fixed interest<br />

and absolute return asset classes.<br />

Many of these assets generally earn<br />

more stable investment returns over<br />

the longer term than shares. So, while<br />

the Australian share market dropped<br />

sharply earlier in the year, LGS members<br />

experienced much smaller declines<br />

in their super balances.<br />

LGS is also committed to a responsible<br />

investment strategy. That means<br />

every investment decision includes<br />

an assessment of all the environmental,<br />

social and governance risks to<br />

ensure LGS members earn long-term<br />

sustainable returns on their super.<br />

Building up your super<br />

After any downturn, there is an opportunity<br />

for members to build up<br />

their super again as the economic recovery<br />

gets underway.<br />

If you can afford it, you can make personal<br />

super contributions to boost<br />

your balance and you may be able<br />

to claim a personal tax deduction<br />

on some of these contributions. For<br />

people on lower incomes or if you’re<br />

working part-time, making a personal<br />

contribution may qualify you for the<br />

Government Co-contribution.<br />

You may also be able to reduce your<br />

personal tax bill by helping your partner<br />

boost their super with a Spouse<br />

Contribution.<br />

There are a number of ways to build<br />

up your super but what’s best for you<br />

depends largely on your individual<br />

circumstances.<br />

Are you planning to retire soon?<br />

For those people planning to retire<br />

soon, the recent downturn may mean<br />

that you need to review your retirement<br />

plans. That’s where good financial<br />

planning advice can be invaluable.<br />

LGS has a team of dedicated financial<br />

planners and they can assist to tailor<br />

the right investment and contribution<br />

strategies to help you achieve your<br />

long-term financial goals.<br />

We can help you protect<br />

and grow your super<br />

LGS has been helping members build<br />

their super and plan for retirement<br />

for more than 20 years, and you don’t<br />

have to work for local government<br />

to be a member of one of the most<br />

responsible and sustainable super<br />

funds in Australia.<br />

To find out more, visit lgsuper.<br />

com.au or call us on 1300 LGSUPER<br />

(1300 547 873) between 8.30am<br />

and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.<br />

This article has been issued by LGSS Pty Limited (ABN<br />

68 078 003 497) (AFSL 383558), as Trustee for Local<br />

Government Super (ABN 28 901 371 321). This document<br />

contains general information only and does not take into<br />

account your personal objectives, financial situation or<br />

needs. Accordingly, you should consider the information in<br />

the context of your personal circumstances before making<br />

any financial decision.<br />

June <strong>2020</strong><br />

<strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong> • 13

TRANSGRID EA NEGOTIATIONS<br />

HAVE COMMENCED IN EARNEST<br />

Covid-19 has not stopped TransGrid EA negotiations with member meetings via Webex now in full swing.<br />

The USU Bargaining Team, at the Management for nearly 3 weeks and<br />

request of Transgrid, came to the in that time we have discovered that<br />

bargaining table with a log of claims Management, under the guise of<br />

with the intention of a roll-over of simplifying clauses in the agreement,<br />

the Enterprise Agreement.<br />

have attempted to erode members’<br />

conditions which we oppose:<br />

THE USU KEY CLAIMS INCLUDE:<br />

CHECK-CI An increase in consultation so<br />

our members would be better<br />

informed about proposed<br />

changes that affect their<br />

employment conditions<br />

CHECK-CI A fair and reasonable wage<br />

increase to keep pace with<br />

the increases in cost of living<br />

expenses<br />

CHECK-CI No loss of conditions for members<br />

CHECK-CI Job Security<br />

As we head to print the Bargaining<br />

Team has been negotiating with<br />

TIMES A calculation of accrued annual<br />

leave which could see members<br />

worse off.<br />

TIMES An attack on Saturday overtime<br />

rates which would cut take home<br />

pay for workers having to work<br />

on Saturdays starting after 12pm.<br />

Management have also said that they<br />

are seeking a move to fortnightly pays<br />

to enable them to have the time to<br />

properly process pays and minimise<br />

risks associated with getting pays<br />

wrong and underpaying staff which<br />

could potentially lead to wages theft.<br />

Management has only offered a<br />

wages increase of CPI claiming that<br />

they need to protect employees from<br />

risks associated with the Corona<br />

Virus economic recovery. Given the<br />

predictions from the Reserve Bank,<br />

by December this year when the<br />

agreement expires, CPI could be as<br />

little as 0.70%!<br />

At recent member meetings we<br />

sought members’ feedback on what<br />

we believe to be a modest pay<br />

increase.<br />

We believe that Management are<br />

asking a lot from members but<br />

offering very little in return. We<br />

will continue the fight for a fair and<br />

reasonable outcome that assists you<br />

and your family and allows for good<br />

productivity for the organisation.<br />

FUTURE-PROOFING JOBS @ AUSGRID<br />

In May the combined energy unions met with Ausgrid CEO, Richard Gross, and EGM – Transformation, Kathrina<br />

Bryen where Ausgrid sought concessions relating to the management of annual leave and RDOs until 30 June 2021,<br />

on the basis that the COVID-19 outbreak has had a serious impact on revenue which, in turn, has exposed their<br />

leave liabilities as being detrimental to their credit ratings.<br />

Ausgrid Management’s proposal is<br />

to reduce the company’s annual<br />

leave liability by seeking agreement<br />

from employees to take 6 weeks of<br />

annual leave and impose strict guidelines<br />

with regards to the taking of<br />

RDOs.<br />

The measures sought aren’t consistent<br />

with the Ausgrid Enterprise<br />

Agreement and while the Union understands<br />

the drivers behind this<br />

proposal and do not oppose this approach,<br />

we do believe it highlights issues<br />

that go directly to Ausgrid’s historic<br />

management practices of leave.<br />

The Union has written to Ausgrid<br />

management seeking the following<br />

assurances:<br />

CHECK-CI Ausgrid considers the idea for<br />

employees who have more than<br />

40 days accruals to be the first<br />

approached;<br />

CHECK-CI Those employees with over 20<br />

days would follow and so on;<br />

CHECK-CI Should an employee apply for<br />

Annual Leave they will be advised<br />

of approval or decline within 14<br />

days of lodgement of the leave<br />

application;<br />

CHECK-CI No reasonable request for leave<br />

should be refused;<br />

CHECK-CI Ausgrid confirm that current deadlines,<br />

timeframes and service level<br />

KPI’s will be amended/ extended/<br />

removed during this exercise; and<br />

CHECK-CI Fortnightly consultation, amended<br />

as needed, and updates on<br />

the progress of the proposal are<br />

conducted with USU officials. We<br />

also seek consultative forums to<br />

work with the business on “future<br />

proofing” against such a situation<br />

arising again.<br />

14 • <strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong>

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<strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong> • 15

AIRLINES MEM<br />

When Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced in March that our borders would close, Australia’s<br />

airline industry and thousands of aviation workers’ lives were thrown into chaos.<br />

At that time the federal government was still resisting the union movement’s<br />

call for a wage subsidy and workers faced a bleak future.<br />

This was compounded in April with the news that Virgin Australia, with a 20-<br />

year history of operating in Australia, announced it had gone into voluntary<br />

administration.<br />

Unions, joined by Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and others immediately<br />

called for government action to save the airline. USU Organiser Thomas Russell,<br />

who has worked tirelessly with members and delegates throughout the crisis,<br />

addressed a rally held on 21 April: “The government has always used competition<br />

as an excuse to privatise. This time, we need government help to save<br />

competition!”<br />

Anthony Albanese: “We’re<br />

all standing shoulder to<br />

shoulder, 1.5 metres apart!”<br />

Thomas Russell<br />

16 • <strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong>

BERS STANDING STRONG<br />

With events rapidly<br />

changing we have<br />

been sending regular<br />

updates to members<br />

via email. Don’t<br />

miss out - make<br />

sure your details<br />

are up to date!<br />

Below: Matt Thistlethwaite<br />

MP Kingsford Smith with USU<br />

Delegates, Tara Stewart, Karen<br />

Oviedo and Laurence Parissakis.<br />

We need to keep our industry strong. We know there is a long journey back<br />

to full operations and with that comes job insecurity and income stress.<br />

While JobSeeker has protected jobs to an extent and ensured some income<br />

for stood down workers, many aviation workers fell outside the scheme.<br />

We continue to campaign for:<br />

CHECK-CI<br />

CHECK-CI<br />

CHECK-CI<br />

CHECK-CI<br />

JobKeeper to be extended beyond the September deadline<br />

JobKeeper to be extended to all aviation workers including casuals<br />

Jobs to be protected<br />

A viable, competitive aviation industry<br />

Sign our petition at www.aviationkeeper.com<br />

We’re calling on the Morrison Federal Government to bring<br />

in an AviationKeeper payment scheme for all aviation workers<br />

across Australia. With the majority of flights still grounded<br />

due to COVID-19, it is going to take some time for our<br />

industry to recover.<br />

Thousands of aviation workers are being denied JobKeeper,<br />

and in too many cases JobSeeker as well. This means many<br />

workers have been left with no income. To stop our essential<br />

aviation industry collapsing, we need jobs and companies<br />

protected so that when Australia is ready to fly, we are too.<br />

The ASU and<br />

TWU placed<br />

full page<br />

advertisements<br />

in The<br />

Australian and<br />

the Australian<br />

Financial<br />

Review.<br />

<strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong> • 17

BETTER THAN THE OLYMPICS!<br />

Goulburn Mulwaree Council members take their Health and Wellbeing program seriously launching<br />

their “Depot Games” in December last year. When life gets back to normal, Games organiser USU<br />

Delegate Laurie Canty calls on other councils to take up the Depot Challenge.<br />

Late last year, Goulburn Mulwaree<br />

Council ran a Depot Games afternoon<br />

for outdoor staff as part of their<br />

Health and Wellbeing program. The<br />

afternoon consisted of a BBQ lunch<br />

to kick off the games followed by a<br />

series of challenges for the teams to<br />

undertake.<br />

1. Let the Games begin! 2. Laurie Canty<br />

(left) was proud of fellow members taking<br />

up the challenge 3. Laurie in his backhoe in<br />

the water challenge.<br />

Teams nominated a labourer, truck<br />

driver and backhoe operator. The<br />

challenges included a wheelbarrow<br />

race and block building game<br />

of Council’s values, a truck precision<br />

driving challenge, a backhoe<br />

block building challenge and a relay<br />

which included all members of the<br />

team showing off their great skills.<br />

The relay involved the labourer filling<br />

a wheelbarrow with water then<br />

weaving through cones and tipping<br />

the water into the hoe. The backhoe<br />

drivers then tipped the water into a<br />

container in the back of the truck and<br />

the driver then reversed over a number<br />

of sand bags to the finish line. The<br />

team with the most water left in their<br />

container won the relay.<br />

Scores were given for each<br />

challenge and the overall winning<br />

team received a trophy, bragging<br />

rights and $500 for the team<br />

to spend. Council’s values were<br />

embedded into these challenges<br />

and the day was a success –<br />

building team camaraderie<br />

and allowing members to have<br />

some fun in the workplace.<br />

2.<br />

Truck precision driving challenge<br />

1.<br />

3.<br />

Wheelbarrow race<br />

18 • <strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong>

METRO PICNIC DAY<br />

On 13 March the USU held our Metro Picnic<br />

Day at Taronga Park Zoo. It was a glorious<br />

day and for many of us the last time we<br />

could gather together before Covid-19<br />

restrictions hit.<br />

Right: USU General Secretary Graeme Kelly<br />

and President Glen McAtear talk with Paul<br />

Reid and Col Myers (Canterbury Bankstown)<br />

Below: Families took advantage of a great<br />

day out celebrating – even the meerkats<br />

were interested in what was going on.<br />

The last 6 months have been tough - picnic<br />

day reminds us of the importance of family<br />

and friends – and a strong union to stand by<br />

your side.<br />

<strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong> • 19

Looking<br />

after our<br />

members<br />

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20 • <strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong>

DELEGATE WINS BACK ALLOWANCE<br />

Following an internal dispute with Queanbeyan Palerang Council, USU delegate Paul Marrapodi has<br />

been able to win back an historical allowance for a number of members.<br />

Historically the former Queanbeyan City Council paid<br />

an allowance known as appearance money. This is a<br />

payment that originated approximately 30 years ago. The<br />

allowance was eventually removed however employees<br />

who received it were able to keep it as a “grandfathered”<br />

payment.<br />

Fast forward post the merger of the former Queanbeyan<br />

and Palerang Councils and management removed this<br />

payment from all employees. Paul Marrapodi with the<br />

advice of his organiser recognised that a number of members<br />

were entitled to continue to receive this payment,<br />

with the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) providing that<br />

all conditions of employment prior to merger are required<br />

to be maintained.<br />

Paul met with management and single handily represented<br />

the USU through an internal grievance and dispute and<br />

was able to win back this allowance for our members. This<br />

Following the loss of his home to<br />

bushfires earlier this year, a USU<br />

member at Bega Valley Shire Council<br />

approached his management seeking<br />

support from his employer to gain<br />

more workplace flexibility to enable<br />

him to support his family and rebuild<br />

his life, by limiting the waste sites he<br />

was required to work at after the loss<br />

of his home. Council’s response was<br />

rather than support their employee<br />

following the national tragedy that<br />

plagued the Bega area, his manager<br />

emailed him stating his employment<br />

would no longer be required by council<br />

and he could return his keys.<br />

This is an absolute outrage and a<br />

callous action taken by council, and<br />

shows little to no regard for the disaster<br />

and the loss suffered by our<br />

WINNERS! Paul (right) holding<br />

the letter from Council stating<br />

they are backing down.<br />

is an excellent win for some of our members. If it wasn’t<br />

for delegates like Paul, the union wouldn’t be able to<br />

achieve the success we have!<br />

BUSHFIRE TAKES HIS HOME,<br />

COUNCIL TAKES HIS JOB<br />

member. Our member was employed<br />

on a systematic casual basis, meaning<br />

he was rostered every week for three<br />

years. This is not the true definition<br />

of a casual with numerous court decisions<br />

across the nation reflecting<br />

this, where it has been recognised<br />

casuals employed this way are in fact<br />

recognised to have the same rights as<br />

permanent employees, and in turn<br />

the same protections from unfair<br />

Photo: www.abc.net.au<br />

dismissal. What concerns the union<br />

more is not only the lack of consideration<br />

for the member’s individual<br />

situation but a broader concern that<br />

this may be occurring with other<br />

workers at this council.<br />

We have engaged in unfair dismissal<br />

proceedings on behalf of our member,<br />

and due to an unwillingness of<br />

council to settle this matter in a way<br />

that can support our member in his<br />

time of need, we are progressing<br />

this matter to trial before the NSW<br />

Industrial Relations Commission.<br />

We seek the support of our members<br />

through this time, if you feel you are<br />

experiencing similar circumstances<br />

or have concerns around your status<br />

as a casual employee contact the<br />

USU on 1300 136 604.<br />

<strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong> • 21

Benefits And Rewards<br />

®<br />

22 • <strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong>

USU WOMEN’S COMMITTEE<br />

Meet Cathy Coutlis!<br />

am a member and head indoor delegate<br />

from Blacktown City Council.<br />

I<br />

I was elected as chairperson of the<br />

USU Women’s Committee in 2018<br />

and again in 2019.<br />

I became a delegate to change the<br />

way my fellow staff are treated in the<br />

workplace and I hope I am achieving<br />

this every day! I enjoy being a delegate<br />

as making a difference to my colleagues’<br />

work life is very rewarding.<br />

I am always keen to learn new skills<br />

and sign up for any USU training I can.<br />

I am currently waiting to complete<br />

USU@Work and during the Covid period<br />

I have been able to participate in<br />

online short courses with the USU and<br />

recommend that all members and especially<br />

delegates have a close look at<br />

what our great union is offering.<br />

I joined the USU Women’s Committee<br />

to make positive changes in how<br />

women are treated now and into the<br />

future. The USU should be proud of<br />

setting up this committee and giving<br />

us a voice. My fellow committee<br />

members are inspirational and have<br />

become friends who I can count on<br />

when I need support in my delegate<br />

role.<br />

A highlight for me was the 2019<br />

Women’s Conference. As a committee<br />

we planned the conference and<br />

got to participate as speakers. The activities<br />

we do at the committee help<br />

us develop our confidence and have<br />

a positive influence on so many areas<br />

of my life.<br />

We also have a Facebook group – you<br />

can find us at USU Women. The group<br />

is a great place to ask a question,<br />

have a laugh or just read up on what<br />

is happening for women out there in<br />

the big wide world!<br />

If you would like to know more about<br />

our committee email USU Organiser<br />

and Women’s Committee Coordinator<br />

Sandie Morthen at smorthen@usu.<br />

org.au<br />

I enjoy getting my head around the<br />

You can also join us on Facebook at<br />

decision making processes of my employer<br />

and helping management con-<br />

USUWomen<br />

www.facebook.com/groups/<br />

sider new ways of looking at an issue.<br />

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS<br />

Earlier in the year the USU ran an<br />

While Covid restrictions<br />

update your details competition.<br />

stopped us marching<br />

Our lucky winner was Donna Cox<br />

it could not stop the<br />

from Newcastle City Council.<br />

spirit of May Day.<br />

Donna won a two night stay at the<br />

Congratulations to Tess,<br />

union’s Riverside Resort at Port and<br />

the daughter of Elissa<br />

a $100 Whalebone Wharf restaurant<br />

Fletcher from Newcastle<br />

voucher.<br />

City Council, who came<br />

Riverside Resort @ Port is owned by<br />

second in the May Day<br />

the USU and is a benefit to all USU<br />

Colouring Competition.<br />

members - see page 32 for details.<br />

The USU runs update your details competitions a few times a year.<br />

Keep your eyes peeled for the next one!<br />

Tess won a $100 voucher<br />

for her artistic efforts.<br />

<strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong> • 23

24 • <strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong>

DO YOU NEED A<br />

LICENSE FOR WORK?<br />

Our Port Macquarie Organiser Damien Welsh explains the impact of the Roads and<br />

Maritime Services Interlock Program introduced in December 2018.<br />

Since the introduction in 2018 of<br />

the mandatory interlock program<br />

and automatic suspension to licenses<br />

for all drink driving offences, this has<br />

had a significant impact on members<br />

who are required to attend disciplinary<br />

meetings due to being charged<br />

with drink driving offences. This matter<br />

is heightened when members have<br />

to participate in the mandatory interlock<br />

program with Alcohol Interlock<br />

devices attached to vehicles.<br />

The Alcohol Interlock Program is now<br />

a standard part of sentencing, which<br />

is a court-ordered requirement for<br />

certain types of drink-driving offenders.<br />

It is designed to tackle drink driving<br />

in NSW. The Interlock Program has<br />

been in effect since 2015 for all high<br />

range drink driver offences, and since<br />

December 2018 for all mid-range and<br />

repeat offenders of all ranges. The<br />

Court is required to make an ‘interlock<br />

order’ which outlines how long<br />

the offender is disqualified, and then<br />

how long they must participate in the<br />

program. Exemptions from the program<br />

can be made by the Court in<br />

limited circumstances.<br />

The interlock device is only accessible<br />

to one person per vehicle, due to the<br />

fact that the devices now incorporate<br />

facial recognition technology. Which<br />

is not ideal or operationally sound for<br />

Councils across the state. This means<br />

that if a person is required by a court<br />

to have an interlock device fitted to a<br />

vehicle then that vehicle is limited to<br />

one driver only. This issue has been<br />

raised with the union on a number<br />

of occasions recently. Unfortunately,<br />

due to the member’s requirement<br />

to have a license by Council and also<br />

in some cases to have an “interlock”<br />

as mandatory conditions placed on<br />

them by the court, a number of members<br />

have had to “show cause” as to<br />

why their employment should not be<br />

terminated.<br />

The now familiar position being<br />

held by Councils “if you need a<br />

license for your position and you<br />

need an interlock device on a vehicle,<br />

you will not have a job” as<br />

having these types of conditions<br />

places an unnecessary burden on<br />

Council, employees and vehicles.<br />

All members should take note that<br />

past practices and disciplinary outcomes<br />

relating to “DUI” may not be<br />

relied upon, as the majority of these<br />

didn’t have an automatic suspension<br />

and the mandatory Interlock Program<br />

as conditions placed on them like<br />

they do these days.<br />

There have been some instances<br />

where councils have accepted members’<br />

offers to take leave for the period<br />

of the suspension and there is<br />

no reason why this should not continue,<br />

but in cases where a mandatory<br />

Interlock Program is applied after<br />

the immediate automatic suspension<br />

period there may be opposition in<br />

fitting this equipment to a work vehicle.<br />

Members should be mindful that<br />

breaching drink driving laws may result<br />

in them losing their job. This is<br />

something that has been continually<br />

reinforced by management at various<br />

Councils on the Mid North Coast.<br />

More information regarding the<br />

Alcohol Interlock Program and automatic<br />

suspension due to drink driving<br />

offences may be accessed at the<br />

following:<br />

https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/<br />

safety-rules/demerits-offences/drugalcohol/interlock-program.html<br />

<strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong> • 25

USU SAVES JOBS DURING COVID-19<br />

Despite strict social distancing guidelines the USU has been by your side via electronic conferencing!<br />

It has been a testing time in the prolonged period of<br />

The USU was successful in retaining the<br />

isolation due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. During this<br />

employment of our members who expressed<br />

time we were fortunate to uphold our substantive roles in<br />

gratitude in recognition of the efforts and<br />

the workplace. There have been some significant adjustments<br />

made to enable the USU to carry out our functions<br />

professionalism of the Union.<br />

in relation to representing our members facing disciplinary<br />

procedures. Whilst under strict meeting regulations<br />

imposed by the State and Federal Governments, we at<br />

the USU were able to attend meetings through electronic<br />

conferencing. During this period organisers prepared<br />

Show Cause letters for our members from various councils,<br />

for different allegations. Some were regarded as very<br />

serious while others were overstated.<br />

At one council each of the allegations arising, although<br />

somewhat similar, were quite different in their own right.<br />

All instances were for alleged breaches of either Council<br />

policy or procedure, and/or the Model Code of Conduct<br />

for Local Councils in NSW. On each occasion a lengthy process<br />

of investigation was undertaken by the USU Official,<br />

with the assistance from Industrial and Management. This<br />

process was to highlight the mitigating factors surrounding<br />

each case, so as to enlighten the Council officers (HR)<br />

and the General Manager, of the issues being experienced<br />

by the employee at that particular time that may have<br />

been related to the poor work performance or conduct.<br />

During the investigation process it was discovered that<br />

each of our members who had been cited for their respective<br />

breaches had been suffering significant mitigating<br />

circumstances in their personal lives that carried over<br />

into the workplace. These aspects were encapsulated in<br />

the show cause response letters submitted to Council,<br />

asking for leniency during these times of duress. Various<br />

penalties were imposed on each member depending on<br />

the circumstances surrounding the individual show cause<br />

processes, such as the allegations levelled against the<br />

member.<br />

The USU has been successful in retaining the employment<br />

of many of our members, who expressed gratitude<br />

in recognition of the efforts and professionalism of the<br />

Union. As a result of the disciplinary action taken against<br />

our members, they have returned to the workplace with<br />

a new appreciation of their position and thankful to still<br />

have employment especially in the current climate of uncertainty,<br />

due to recent events unfolding not only around<br />

the country, but around the world.<br />

BY YOUR SIDE @ MEETINGS<br />

It does not matter whether it is during a Covid-19 crisis or under<br />

normal working arrangements, the USU is always by your side.<br />

Despite restrictions members should never attend meetings<br />

alone! USU Members are entitled to union representation and<br />

we urge members not to attend disciplinary meetings or meetings<br />

about “your future” alone!<br />

Despite Covid restrictions we can always represent you. If you<br />

are summoned to attend a meeting with your Boss on any industrial<br />

matter – DO NOT ATTEND until your USU representative<br />

is with you to ensure your Award rights are upheld.<br />

It does not matter what industry you work in, if you are a USU<br />

member you are entitled to union representation. Talk to your<br />

delegate, your Organiser or ring the USU on 1300 136 604.<br />

26 • <strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong>

GREAT MEMBERS MAKE GREAT UNIONS!<br />

Life members<br />

The Southern Branch Committee of Management members, USU General Secretary Graeme Kelly and President Glen<br />

McAtear congratulate former state Executive member representative of the Southern Branch, Phil Bowering as well<br />

as Branch Committee of Management member Greg Scott for being awarded Life membership of the USU. Phil also<br />

achieved life membership of the ASU, the USU’s national Union. Greg is pictured second from the left in the front row and<br />

Phil third from the left. Find out more about Phil and Greg here: www.usu.org.au/great-members-make-great-unions<br />

USU MADE SURE I<br />

DID NOT WALK AWAY<br />

WITH NOTHING<br />

Hi Steve<br />

My time with Lake Macquarie Council is now complete<br />

with my retirement on 3 April <strong>2020</strong>.<br />

The end was not what I imagined after 37 years<br />

doing my best and always seeking the best outcome<br />

for Council regardless of what tasks I was doing.<br />

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you Steve<br />

[Manager North Stephen Hughes] and Noel [Industrial<br />

Officer Noel Martin] personally and the USU for their<br />

support through this ordeal.<br />

Without the Union I would not have received the outcome<br />

you guys were able to obtain and may well of<br />

just of walked away with nothing.<br />

May I wish you and your colleagues all the best now<br />

and in the future.<br />

Yours Faithfully<br />

Brad Schofield<br />

Killingworth<br />

Thanks Kelly<br />

O<br />

utgoing Treasurer of the New England Branch, Kelly<br />

James, with Branch President Scott Jackson and<br />

Executive member Bernardo Lynch. After years of dedicated<br />

service to council and the USU, Kelly James has retired,<br />

and the New England branch wishes her the best in<br />

her new adventures.<br />

<strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong> • 27

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When it matters contact Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers.<br />

We are committed to support USU members throughout NSW.<br />

Whether we assist you with a workplace dispute, property transaction, commercial advice,<br />

or a compensation claim, we’ll complete your work to the highest standard.<br />

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28 • <strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong>

The USU New Gen Committee is<br />

a group of young and energetic<br />

workers throughout the vast USU<br />

branch network, who are continually<br />

raising the awareness and importance<br />

of being active in their Union and<br />

their workplace amongst the younger<br />

generation of workers.<br />

In <strong>2020</strong>, the USU New Gen Committee<br />

will again be presenting two special<br />

awards at our Conference. In<br />

acknowledgement of the importance<br />

of apprentices/trainees in our<br />

collective workforces the USU New<br />

Gen Committee will be awarding a<br />

USU member, currently undertaking<br />

a workplace apprentice/traineeship,<br />

with a special recognition award in<br />

<strong>2020</strong>.<br />

In recognition of the work done by<br />

their mentors we will also be awarding<br />

CELEBRATING<br />

Apprentices and Mentors<br />

Our New Gen Committee will once again be presenting Awards to an outstanding apprentice/trainee and<br />

great mentor. Do you know anyone who deserves a nomination?<br />

a USU member who actively engages<br />

with workers, creates harmony in<br />

their team environment and has an<br />

awareness of issues that affect all<br />

workers, with an Award too.<br />

Winners will be recognised with a<br />

trophy as well as their names being<br />

added to our perpetual trophy in<br />

recognition of their great work.<br />

WANT TO JOIN<br />

OUR NEW GEN<br />

COMMITTEE?<br />

Are you a USU member between the ages of 16 to 35?<br />

Interested in connecting with your New Gen Committee to<br />

assist in promoting the collective interests of fellow younger<br />

workers? Why not join Kirsty and others like her?<br />

Contact USU Organiser Luke Hutchinson on 0419 761 323<br />

or lhutchinson@usu.org.au to find out more today.<br />

<br />

facebook.com/USU-New-Gen-Committee-111231875645403/<br />

I am part of<br />

the Union<br />

because they<br />

help me feel<br />

secure. If I am<br />

unsure of my<br />

rights I know<br />

who to ask.<br />

HOW DO I NOMINATE?<br />

Online at www.usu.org.au/new-gen<br />

or alternatively you can download<br />

the PDF forms online and return via<br />

email, fax or post:<br />

Email: lhutchinson@usu.org.au<br />

Fax: (02) 4962 1758<br />

Mail: PO BOX 47<br />

HAMILTON NSW 2303<br />

Find out more about the NEW GEN<br />

Committee here:<br />

www.usu.org.au/new-gen/ or<br />

follow and “like” us at https://<br />

www.facebook.com/usu.new.gen.<br />

committee<br />

Nominations close<br />

at 5 pm Friday 18th<br />

September <strong>2020</strong><br />

<strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong> • 29

Get more<br />

from ME.<br />

Member Benefİts.<br />

Eligible union members<br />

get better value with ME.<br />

mebank.com.au/memberbenefits<br />

Home Loan Health checks.<br />

In under 30 minutes, speak with a ME<br />

home loan expert and see if you could<br />

save on your current home loan.<br />

Call Jennifer on 0439 397 304<br />

to book an appointment<br />

Shout out.<br />

Any banking questions?<br />

Call Jennifer Reynolds on 0439 397 304<br />

30 • <strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong>

GREAT<br />

PRIZES TO<br />

BE WON!<br />

USU Kids CORNER<br />

Help the Penguin get to his friends<br />

Can<br />

you<br />

find<br />

your way<br />

a<br />

round<br />

the<br />

P<br />

enguin?<br />

colour me<br />

Two winners will be awarded in the following categories:<br />

Ages 8-12 years and Ages up to 7.<br />

Send your entry to: USU Kids, Level 7, 321 Pitt St, Sydney<br />

for your chance to win some great prizes. Winners will be<br />

published in the next edition of <strong>United</strong>.<br />

Name:_____________________________________<br />

Age: _ _____________________________________<br />

Address: ___________________________________<br />

__________________________________________<br />

S Q E T I P S B H<br />

C I C I C L E E E<br />

A N M K O K V A A<br />

R L P S A V O N T<br />

F B O O T S L I E<br />

Z S N O W C G E R<br />

Winners from our Summer 2019 Kids Corner:<br />

Fabian (aged 8) and Freya (aged 11)<br />

FIND THE<br />

WORDS!<br />

ICICLE<br />

BEANIE<br />

COAT<br />

BOOTS<br />

SKI<br />

SNOW<br />

SCARF<br />

GLOVES<br />

HEATER<br />

<strong>United</strong> <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2020</strong> • 31

We can’t wait to catch up!<br />

GREAT BENEFIT FOR USU MEMBERS!<br />

Take a break<br />

Being a USU member<br />

means you and your<br />

family can stay at our<br />

beautiful resort at Port<br />

Macquarie for special<br />

rates - all year round.<br />

Do yourself a favour and<br />

book your stay today!<br />

USU Riverside Resort @ Port<br />

USU members can enjoy great holidays at the Union’s own Riverside Resort, located in beautiful Port<br />

Macquarie on the Hastings River. The resort consists of a Motel and a Caravan Park, so no matter what<br />

type of holiday you are after your needs are covered. You can contact the motel or caravan park by calling<br />

Riverside Resort @ Port on 02 6584 9155 or check the website at www.riversideresortatport.com.au. You<br />

can also call the Union’s Head Office on 1300 136 604 for more information.<br />

Or holiday in Jervis Bay!<br />

SPECIAL RATES<br />

FOR USU MEMBERS<br />

Save up to $245<br />

per week! Check<br />

out more at www.<br />

riversideresortatport.<br />

com.au.<br />

<strong>United</strong> Services Union members also have the option of heading south to Jervis Bay at the Rail Tram and Bus<br />

Union Holiday Park. USU members can stay at discounted member rates.* Located in the Booderee National<br />

Park, the RTBU Holiday Park at Jervis Bay, is just a 3 hour drive south from Sydney, but a world away ...<br />

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

* conditions apply<br />

Check out our new<br />

renovations @ Riverside!<br />

Stay on the river<br />

4 star accommodation<br />

Fantastic facilities<br />

www.riversideresortatport.com.au | (02) 6584 9155 | riversideresort@usu.org.au

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