June 17, 2020
South Burnett Regional Council employees received a 2.5 per cent pay rise this week following the successful conclusion recently of enterprise bargaining negotiations.
CEO Mark Pitt said the result followed nearly 12 months of talks involving six unions.
The payrise – signed off in two separate agreements covering indoor (officers) and outdoor (field) staff – covers about 300 workers.
Mr Pitt said negotiations had concluded during the COVID-19 restrictions which meant the final vote by employees was done “virtually” on April 28-29.
The logistics of this virtual vote were handled by independent, external contractors.
Mr Pitt said the Council’s last Enterprise Bargaining Agreement expired in 2014.
Legislative changes by successive State Governments had delayed the negotiating process since then, although workers had received two “administrative” payrises during this period: 2 per cent in July 2015 and 1.575 per cent in July 2016.
Mr Pitt said the two new agreements had not yet been signed off by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission but as an act of good faith, Council had agreed to start paying the higher rates immediately.
The SBRC also intended to re-establish a joint consultative committee with union representatives which will meet quarterly.
It’s good to know that SBRC employees are to receive a pay rise and that it’s to be paid immediately as an act of good faith. Council workers provide many services to the local population from which we all benefit.
Having a workforce which is in stable employment with reasonable pay and conditions is going to be good for the local economy as we move into less certain times.
The intention to re-establish a joint consultative committee with union representatives seems sensible and positive.
Congratulations to all concerned.