March 17, 2023
Stalled wage negotiations between members of The Services Union and the South Burnett Regional Council are back on track.
TSU Queensland co-ordinator Ben Jones told southburnett.com.au Council has now agreed to reinstate a previous offer of a 10 per cent increase over two years.
This offer from Council – which union officials had already presented to members after reaching an in-principle agreement – was suddenly withdrawn by Council in mid-December.
A new offer of an 8 per cent rise over two years was then presented, which stunned union negotiators.
At the time, the TSU described this as an “Olympic-worthy backflip”, and organised a ballot of members to gauge their reaction to taking protected industrial action.
Mr Jones said the union applied to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission to assist with resolving the dispute over the new Certified Agreement but had always remained open for further discussions with Council.
The union had made it clear they were prepared to take the matter to a Full Bench hearing in the QIRC if necessary.
“Lo and behold, on Monday they offered to meet with us,” Mr Jones said.
“We’re not party to what goes on behind the scenes but all’s well that ends well.”
All that is left now is for the union to review the Draft Agreement to ensure it represents what was agreed at the bargaining table.
“It saves ourselves and the Council a trip to the Commission,” Mr Jones said.
