The United Services Union has been working with our USU members at the Armidale Regional Council Library where there is a serious mould problem.
The roof of the library has leaked water over the years, and has seen the mould affect the ceiling, plasterboard and carpet.
We have a USU member whose health has also been severely affected by the mould problem in this workplace.
The Armidale Regional Council had an indoor air quality assessment conducted in 2021 and again in 2025 and assured their staff that it was ok to continue working in the library. But Council would not give the Union or the staff a copy of the report, so as we could get our own independent expert assessment of this report, and so we could reassure the staff the workplace was safe or not, if not the Union will take appropriate action to protect our USU members.
The Union wrote to the Council requesting copies of the reports, with the response that you can come and read, however we will not provide the Union with a copy of the reports to keep.
As a result, the Union took the Council to the Industrial Relations Commission. This resulted in Council now providing the Union with the Copies of the Air Quality reports done in May 2021 and March 2025.
We will now have the reports assessed and meet with our USU members to update them on the outcome of the assessment.
This is a great outcome for our USU members and demonstrates how the United Services Union fights for our members’ rights at work. The right to have a safe and healthy workplace.
Employee Rights and Employer Responsibilities:
- Safe Workplace: Employees have the right to work in a safe environment free from hazards, including mold.
- Reporting Mold: Employees should promptly report any mold concerns to their employer.
