Council staff votes yes to Enterprise Agreement pay offer
2/11/2009 11:31:00 AM
Employees have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new Council Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.
Apart from improved conditions, the pay offer is:
- 3.85% in year 1 or $37.50
- 3.9% in years 2 and 3 or CPI or $37.50 (whichever is greater)
- back pay to 1 July 2009, dependent on acceptance of the offer
CEO Dale Dickson said the staff ballot was independently conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission, with representatives of unions present to scrutinise the voting process.
About 3500 ballot papers were mailed out and 2379 responses subsequently received, of which more than 88 per cent were in favour of the agreement.
"The Agreement now needs to be certified by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) before it can take effect. Hopefully this will occur within the next few weeks," Mr Dickson said.
"Despite the fact we must technically wait for the QIRC's certification, I have asked for the pay rise, backdated to 1 July 2009, to be given effect as soon as possible. This will therefore happen before the end of November.
"Enterprise Agreement negotiations are always difficult and these have been no exception. In the interests of all concerned, but particularly the community and our staff, I am pleased this matter has finally been settled".
