Council workers debate trade offs

BY IAN JAMIESON

PERTH — Frustration is building among council workers and staff in Fremantle and the adjoining municipality of Cockburn over delays in enterprise bargaining. Anger at stop-work meetings over promised pay increases in Fremantle being thwarted is mounting.

In Cockburn, council workers are unhappy with the trade-offs demanded in return for a 13.5% wage rise over three years. They are being asked to participate in customer service surveys and perform within budgets to gain pay rises.

Unions involved, including the Municipal Employees Union, have also hit out at state and federal government pressure on local councils, particularly as federal grants are being phased out. Councils are squeezing their employees and making cuts to basic infrastructure to cope.

Negotiations are continuing with both councils although senior managers are taking a tough stand.

From GLW issue 420