Workers at Shoalhaven City Council are concerned about their continuing job security as the Council continues to employ contractors and labour hire workers instead of utilising permanent staff.
The United Services Union (USU) is seeking meaningful discussions with General Manager Stephen Dunshea over an alarming trend at Shoalhaven to employ contractors and labour hire instead of offering permanent jobs to locals.
USU manager Rudi Oppitz said last month the Council passed a Mayoral Minute to stop the outsourcing of council work and convert contractors to permanent employees.
“Our members working at Shoalhaven are committed to the local community and don’t want to see any more work outsourced to contractors,” Mr Oppitz said.
“While elected Councillors have been very clear about recognising the value of the Shoalhaven City Council workforce, our concern is that policy does not appear to have the backing of the General Manager who has been using contractors instead of hiring new permanent staff.”
“The Council’s waste recycling centres took on additional contract workers to help manage large volumes of green waste from the 2019 bushfires.”
“These labour hire workers are now doing the full range of work at the tips. As a result, they should now be employed as permanent staff.”
“Maintenance workers doing gardening and mowing work should all be permanent employees but many also remain on short term contracts.”
“Permanent staff take pride in keeping Shoalhaven’s parks and sporting fields looking their best.”
“Training staff to maintain parks and gardens to the standard the local community expects is far better than using contract labour hire which has a high turnover rate.”
Mr Oppitz said the USU would campaign to ensure the decision by Councillors to prioritise permanent employees at Shoalhaven was followed by senior managers and directors.
“We will also be asking the Mayor to review cuts to the Budget for maintaining non-sporting parks which our members believe are designed to undermine their jobs.”
