United Services Union (USU) officials have earlier today met with Upper Lachlan Shire Council managers and staff, separately, about the structural review of jobs in the works and operations team.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The USU met with the council's general manager, John Bell, and director of works and operations, Mursaleen Shah.
USU official Stuart Geddes said management had committed to reconsider their evaluation of ULSC staff wages and positions.
Their decision was expected by Wednesday October 31, at which time the union would report back to its members, Mr Geddes said.
The meetings followed Gazette reports on the structural review, in stage one of four stages, with potential to affect all its workforce.
Three senior management employees are known to have left their positions following a lowering of their job grading.
Up to 30 council staff could lose their jobs if the Roads and Maritime Services contracts are affected, Mr Geddes said.
The council had earlier released a statement that the restructure was expected to have a minor operational impact, and that they did not intend to decrease current staffing numbers.
However, the loss of senior management roles could see Roads and Maritime Services contracts handed to Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Mr Geddes warned.
Goulburn Mulwaree Council has been in negotiations with the RMS to undertake state road maintenance within Goulburn Mulwaree boundaries for the past four years.
State roads include the Crookwell Road from the boundary with ULSC into Goulburn, and the Braidwood Road from the boundary of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council.
“We believe it is inappropriate that other councils maintain state roads within the Goulburn Mulwaree Council local government area,” said Goulburn Mulwaree general manager Warwick Bennett.
“RMS are supportive of this council’s position and have agreed in principle that, subject to council meeting all the RMS requirements, this work will be undertaken by Goulburn Mulwaree from 1 July, 2019,” Mr Bennett said.
ULSC says it is seeking to restructure its workforce to improve efficiency through better asset management and delivery of infrastructure services, including management of major projects.
The dispute is being heard in the Industrial Relations Commission and will reconvene there on November 6.
