Earlier this year, a team from the United Services Union (USU) visited Lismore City. The team included General Secretary Graeme Kelly OAM, Manager North Stephen Hughes, Industrial Officer Noel Martin, Lead Organiser Luke Hutchinson Relief Organiser John Hickson and Northern Organiser Nicole Eldridge.
The purpose of the visit was to meet with key officials including the Mayor and Senior Management as well as our Waste Collection Service members and at an outdoor and indoor mass meeting of members of Lismore City Council in seeking to work together to strengthen the workforce in Lismore. Due to the various issues requiring discussion, some meetings took place simultaneously with the relevant USU Officials attending.
The meetings were focused on discussing the issues and concerns about the workforce in Lismore and how the USU could play a role in resolving those issues.
The USU is committed to working collaboratively with the Council to ensure a stronger and more secure workforce for the city. The visit was an opportunity for the USU team to learn more about the specific challenges facing Lismore especially since the area was devastated by flooding and is still going through long term ongoing reconstruction and to discuss and explore possible solutions to expedite the work by better utilizing Council’s workforce. The USU team also shared their expertise and experience in dealing with workforce issues in other Councils and offered their support to the Council in addressing these challenges.
Overall, the visit was productive and constructive, and the USU looks forward to continuing to work with the Council and other stakeholders to create a brighter future for the workers in Lismore.
