Abuse, threats and violence against NSW council workers are rising and unlike retail workers, they have no specific protection under the law. The USU is campaigning to change that.

Earlier this year we asked local government workers one question: are you safe at work? More than 1,000 responded.

Same behaviour. Different job.

Police, emergency and health workers already have specific protection under the NSW Crimes Act. Since 2023, so do retail workers:

  • 4 years for assault, harassment or intimidation
  • 6 years where actual bodily harm is caused
  • 11 years for wounding or grievous bodily harm

Do the same thing to a council worker? No specific protection at all.

We asked if that should change. 95% of you said yes.

What your union is doing

On the ground every week,  organisers at councils are gathering evidence directly from workers.

At the table, the USU has met NSW Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis to press the case and continues to push the Government for stronger laws.

Our petition to the NSW Legislative Assembly is already 3,000+ signatures strong. At 10,000, it must be debated in Parliament.

Keep an eye out for an email about where to find it in your workplace.

No one should be abused for doing their job. Let’s make the law say so.