On 14 February 2022 your union attended NSW Industrial Relations Commission proceedings to ensure the consultation process for the proposed Art Gallery Restructure was compliant with the Enterprise Agreement.
 
It is disappointing we had to escalate to the IRC once again. However, our action has ensured council will uphold their commitments and obligations under the Enterprise Agreement. 

Council is now required to provide additional documents and information to the USU by the close of today 15 February. The consultation period has now been extended to ensure EA timeframes are being adhered to.

We will scrutinise these documents and continue to question why Council bosses would make mass redundancies and push to replace these loyal employees with “temporary employees”.

During IRC proceedings, we expressed concerns that Council was not prepared to genuinely consult with the USU and Council’s Consultive Committee. The USU firmly asserted Council bosses and their People and Culture representatives are treating the consultation process and Council’s Consultive Committee with contempt.

It is apparent the City of Newcastle bosses are hellbent on formulating their plans without regard to employee’s wellbeing, development, or scrutiny under the EA.

The USU will continue to update members on these matters and our positive actions to ensure YOUR rights are not brushed aside with a stroke of the boss’s pen!

We are stronger together. And we are always by your side!

USU Membership Action:

Do you know any fellow work colleagues who are yet to join the USU? Feel free to pass this information through your workplaces and remind them of the benefits of being a member of the USU!

New members can also join here

USU Members Contact

Are you concerned about issues in your workplace? Contact your USU representatives as below to ensure YOUR rights are being upheld. 
 
Keven Burgess 
Tony Priestley
Craig Perrin
Shane Hardy 
Ross Warren  (NCC Admin Building)
Kurt Douglas NCC Depot
Andrew Mercer 
Emma Callaghan / Jake Fly – NCC Libraries
 
Alternatively, you can also contact Luke Hutchinson on 0419 761 323 or lhutchinson@usu.org.au