USU members within the Waste Services at Woy Woy and Buttonderry Waste Facilities had a good win recently – achieved by getting collective and seeking resolution on numerous historical back payments of unpaid entitlements.
USU Members raised specific concerns over their eligibility for higher-grade pay entitlements in accordance with Clause 12 of NSW Local Government (State) Award 2023.
12. Payment for Relief Duties/Work
(i) An employee required by the employer to relieve in a position which is at a higher level within the salary system shall be paid for that relief. The rate to be paid shall be determined by considering the skills/experience applied by the employee relieving in the position but shall be at least the minimum rate for that position in accordance with the salary system except where the higher level skills have been taken into account within the salary of the relieving employee.
(ii) Payment for use of skills relieving in a higher paid position shall be made for the time actually spent relieving in the higher position and is not payable when the relieving employee is absent on paid leave or an award holiday. An employee on annual leave or long service leave may be entitled to a higher rate of pay in accordance with the provisions of subclauses 23D(xi) and 23E(iii)(c) of this Award.
It was clear these Waste Workers (Crew Members Band 1 Level 3) performed duties (Plant Operation and Gatehouse Band 1 Level 4) and were appointed in conjunction with Clause 12. Due to their collective action (lodging a grievance) through the USU, workers received historical back payments which were calculated into the thousands of $ to these USU members.
This outcome was only achieved by workers acting collectively through our Union, the USU!
This is also a reminder of how our Union, the USU represents ALL workers at Central Coast Council, irrespective of employment status or location – causal, permanent, or part-time ALL workers win when we act collectively! We’re stronger together!
