USU members have delivered a major win, voting overwhelmingly to trial a 4-day working week across key operational areas at one of Sydney’s largest councils.
At well-attended union mass meetings, members endorsed a 12-month trial that will see crews work four days with a permanent 3-day weekend, excluding Waste and Cleansing at this stage
The model includes a 36-hour week, adjusted hourly rates, 6.30am – 4.00pm shifts and a split roster arrangement. Regular check-ins throughout the trial will ensure issues are identified and resolved early.
This breakthrough follows exceptional organising by local delegates alongside their USU Organiser, who spent months building support and pushing Council to take the proposal seriously. Their work has now positioned Canterbury-Bankstown as one of the leading councils exploring shorter working weeks.
Interest in 4-day week models is growing across Australia, and this trial is a significant step forward for members seeking better balance, safer workloads and modern conditions.
