USU Says No Local Government Reform

Date: 06 June 2003

The United Services Union has called for the NSW government to implement urgent job protection reforms in light of the recent confirmation by Premier Bob Carr that the Government is pushing for a second wave of amalgamations.

USU Secretary Brian Harris has already held urgent meetings with Bob Carr and the Minister for Local Government Tony Kelly seeking significant reform to the Local Government Act which will protect workers and their families following amalgamations of boundary changes.

"Bob Carr's announcement that amalgamations should be finalised over the next 12 months highlights the urgency for reform of the Local Government Act to provide employment protection guarantees for employees caught up in amalgamations, boundary changes and council restructures," said Brian Harris.

" Each time boundary changes or amalgamations are proposed, employees, their families and the community are thrown into turmoil about job security. Following the government's recent announcement we have had many inquiries from members who are extremely distressed over the prospect of job loss. With legislative reform in place that distress and insecurity would be reduced."

"We have had several members in tears over this announcement - fearful of their families future," said Brian Harris. "It is vital that rural jobs are protected and maintained with local government a major employer in rural and regional NSW."

In the past the USU has been able to obtain job protection for members through proclamations. However the Union says that it is now time to formalise the protection through legislation designed to stop attacks on job security and employment conditions from councils forcing loop holes in the current legal framework.

"The union has called for core employment numbers, in both white and blue collar work areas, to be maintained in the event of any amalgamation or boundary change," explained Brian Harris. "We have also called for preservation of all leave, super entitlements and employment conditions with no forced redundancies."

The USU is continuing talks with the Government and members in the affected local government areas.

For further information contact Ben Kruse USU Manager Legal & Industrial on (02) 9265 8211 or 0419 623 984.

For further information

Contact:	Brian Harris
Union:	Municipal Employees Union
Phone:	(02) 9265 8211
Fax:	(02) 9261 2265
Email:	united@usu.org.au
WWW:	http://www.usu.org.au

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