This agreement reminds us that progress is not just possible but achievable. It delivers a competitive pay increase alongside improved conditions, all without losses for current members.
On 17th July 2024, members at Blacktown Council voted to accept the proposed Enterprise Agreement. The Agreement was approved by the Industrial Relations Commission on October 3, ensuring members will be back paid the pay increase to the first pay period in July.
Thank you for all you & your wonderful team do for us!
Thank you for all your hard work.
Wow that’s great news thank you for a great support.
Highlights include:
- Wage Increases:
- 2024: 4% plus a $1000 (bonus for permanent staff who have been employed for at least 12 months. Pro rata for part time workers) back paid to the first pay period in July 2024
- 2025: 3.5% plus a $1000 (bonus for permanent staff who have been employed for at least 12 months. Pro rata for part time workers)
- 2026: The Award increase plus .25%
- The definition of immediate family for bereavement leave now includes grandparents and the parents of your spouse or defacto partner.
- Miscarriage leave of 4 days is now available to any employee who suffers a miscarriage or still birth. This leave is also available to the partner of any person who suffers a miscarriage or still birth.
- Family and Domestic Violence leave has increased from 10 days per year to 20 days per year.
- There is no longer the requirement to provide 2 days’ notice prior to taking Health and Wellbeing Leave.
- A working group will be established within 1 month of the Agreement being registered to investigate the feasibility of a 4-day working week for outdoor staff.
- Return to Plant will be grand parented and only paid to current staff who are in receipt of this allowance at the higher rate of 20 minutes per day.
- Any employee will be able to enter into a novated lease and payments can be salary sacrificed. An individual should obtain financial advice prior to entering into any financial arrangement.
- Employees have the right to not answer phone calls or emails outside of work hours.
- Employees have more opportunity to apply for workplace flexibility to allow them to have a better work/life balance. Any employee, other than a casual, can now make a request for flexibility.
- All reasonable communication expenses will be paid by the employer.
- If you fall sick whilst on Annual Leave or Long Service Leave you can apply to have your leave recredited and use sick leave instead as long as the period, you were sick was longer than 5 consecutive days. Council may request proof of illness.
Your union sees the Blacktown Council Enterprise Agreement 2024 as a positive for our members at Blacktown Council and a great reminder of what can be accomplished when workers unite.
