We heard directly from members across local government about the impact rising fuel prices are having — both at work and at home.
In response, the USU has moved to establish:
- work from home rights
- a four-day week and
- a 50 per cent increase in fuel expenses reimbursements
to combat the oil shock caused by the Iran war.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE COMMISSION:
In our first hearing the United Services Union argued in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission that temporary award conditions are needed for more than 55,000 staff at the state’s 128 councils to cope with rising fuel costs.
Further hearings were held on Friday 17th April where Commissioner Howell handed down a Recommendation in the USU’s application for the Local Government (Fuel Crisis) Splinter Award 2026. While Local Government NSW opposed the application, the Commission urged the parties to come together and deliver immediate flexibility for workers being hit hardest at the bowser.
FROM THE COMMISSIONER ‘ S RECOMMENDATION — PARAGRAPH 1 4
“…strongly recommending the Parties issue a joint statement encouraging their respective members to use the existing provisions of the State Award providing flexibility for work…”
Commissioner Howell · NSWIRC · 17 April 2026
YOUR NEXT STEP
Speak to your USU delegate or Organiser today about lodging a Clause 24 flexibility application — remote work, variations to ordinary hours, adjusted rosters or compressed weeks. The Commission has now backed flexibility as the right response to the fuel crisis. Use it.
In the news:
There has been extensive media coverage of the union’s actions on behalf of members which members may wish to read below.
Australian Financial Review: Union launches bid for WFH, four-day week to combat high petrol prices
Daily Mail: Four-day work weeks, WFH, and higher fuel subsidies: Major push to help Aussies
