Council workers in the Southern Downs have won a fair deal after large scale strike action across Warwick and Stanthorpe last Thursday.
The breakthrough in negotiations came at a bargaining meeting on Monday between the Council and union representatives.
The new offer that has been put to workers will mean that they will receive a 6%/5%/4% pay rise over three years.
AWU South Western District Secretary Joey Kaiser said that this is a good outcome for workers at the Council.
"This is a great result for our hardworking Council staff and it wouldn't have been possible if these workers had not have stood up and fought back last week through their strike action," Mr Kaiser said.
"I would like to thank CEO Rachel Brophy and other members of the Council bargaining team for cutting through the malaise and delivering an outcome their workforce deserves."
"This new agreement will help the Council attract and retain the quality staff they need to keep this region one of the most beautiful places to live and visit in Queensland."
As part of the offer to staff, Council have also agreed to drop their claims that would have changed working arrangements on Sundays and introduced insecure types of employment into the agreement.
These claims were widely condemned by the workforce and were part of the reason workers took strike action last week.
Mr Kaiser said that the preservation of these entitlements has been celebrated by staff.
"Working in local government is about having a good work-life balance," Mr Kaiser said.
"Our members could take their significant skills and experience to the gas or construction industries and earn a lot more money, but they would lose their quality of life,"
"This was a fight about what working in local government is all about, and through the collective strength of our membership, we have won."
Now that in-principle agreement has been reached on the offer, the new agreement will now be drafted and go to a vote of all employees at the Council. If that vote is successful, it will be submitted to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission for certification.
Mr Kaiser said that this win is a message to other employers throughout the region.
"This shows what can happen when workers stick together, know their worth and fight for a better deal," Mr Kaiser said.
"Councils are big employers in regional and rural areas, and it's important for the economy and liveability of towns like Warwick and Stanthorpe to maintain a decent wage for these workers."
"This Australian Workers' Union in Queensland was born in this region - our members are built tough, and they won't settle for second best."
Background:
The advice we have received is that this offer will not lead to higher rates for residents in the Southern Downs and is being absorbed within the existing budget.
AWU South Western District Secretary Joey Kaiser is available for media comment today in Toowoomba (0401098484 | [email protected])
Media Contact: Joey Kaiser (0401098484 | [email protected])