Did you know the USU has Vocational Groups  to keep our USU members informed of what was occurring within their respective Vocations?

The Roads Maintenance and Construction Vocational Group (RMCVG) was formed and is one of the biggest Vocations within Local Government.

The RMCVG recently released an industrial flyer relating to Term Contracts and CasualS (DOWNLOAD HERE). Through a series of phone calls and meetings, concerns were raised with North West Organiser and RMCVG Convener, Jamie McKinnon, about the use of Term Contracts and Casuals on Transport for NSW Road Maintenance Council Contracts (RMCC) projects. RMCC projects are where TfNSW allocate funding for Local Councils to take stewardship and asset management of State Roads within their respective LGA’s.

Upon investigation of the allegations, it was identified that some Councils are allegedly incorrectly utilising Term Contracts and/or Casuals to establish a workforce to help deliver their RMCC obligations in breach of the Award regarding the use of Term Contracts and Casual Labour.

Clause 36 of the Local Government (State) Award 2023 makes mention of Term Contracts in detail. Of particular note are the following;

36. Term Contracts

(i) The employer may only employ a person on a term contract of employment in the following situations:

(a) for the life of a specific task or project that has a definable work activity, or

(b) to perform the duties associated with an externally funded position where the length of the employment depends on the length of the funding.

It is alleged that some Councils may be abusing the two Award sub clauses, as our investigations thus far have identified that some of these positions have been working continuously for over 4 years.  This has caused some serious concerns for your Union.

The Union’s view is that due to the regular and systematic nature of the RMCC work for Regional Councils, these positions should be made permanent within Council’s structures. This will provide our members with better employment certainty especially during this current Cost of Living Crisis.

If you or someone you know may fall into this category, please contact the RMCVG Convener Jamie McKinnon on 0427 430 549 or via email at jmckinnon@usu.org.au