We’ve 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.
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
Daily Telegraph: Pleas for 4 day week or WFH
Industrial Relations Commission:
Last Thursday 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 will be held on Friday.
The union wrote to all 128 councils asking them to look at work from home for staff who can do so and consider four-day weeks for those who cannot.
Our proposed Splinter Award would last 12 months and be triggered whenever the price of unleaded petrol goes above $2 a litre, linking to retail prices from the Australian Institute of Petroleum.
Work from home would extend to up to five days a week, depending on the position or location of the worker, while a four-day week option could involve staff working a few hours more every day to save one daily commute.
The union is also proposing to increase council workers’ fuel expenses reimbursements to $1.25 per kilometre, up from the current 83¢ per kilometre.
