In June of 2024, two USU members working out of the Scone depot at Upper Hunter Shire Council undertook their annual performance appraisal, only to have their 4% performance bonus rejected without valid explanation.
The two members, D. Nesbitt and D. Norville, then contacted their workplace USU delegate and USU organiser S. Stark which resulted in the two members lodging grievances demanding the specific reasons in writing as to why they did not receive the bonus this time and what specific improvements needed to be made to obtain the bonus next time.
Late in 2024, both members were given the requested information and allowed to undergo the performance appraisal process again with this new information. Both members were eventually contacted and informed that their second appraisals had been successful and they would receive both the bonus and the back pay for the period that they had gone without the bonus.
This great result was an excellent example of what can be achieved with members who are willing to step up with the support of actively involved delegates.
