FOREWORD
On behalf of the LGEA Committee and staff it is my pleasure to provide our network of local workplace delegates and representatives with the 2014 Local Government State Award.
This is the first time that the LGEA has published its own copy of the Award and it reflects our desire to better equip and support our delegates in providing representation to LGEA members at councils throughout the industry.
The Local Government State Award 2014 came into effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2014.
With a three year term, the Award is the result of a comprehensive round of negotiations between the industry parties which included a number of conciliation conferences before the President of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, Justice Walton.
Several of the new provisions in the Award are particularly designed to assist with the attraction and retention of engineering and other technical professionals in local government.
These include a requirement for councils to meet the costs associated with engineers attaining professional accreditation where it is required in their role as well the introduction of a new type of agreement known as “Hours of Work Flexibility Agreements” to enable professionals and managers to negotiate a special allowance to better recognise and reward additional hours of work.
Importantly, the Award maintains key provisions relating to motor vehicle leaseback protections as well as a much expanded and clarified civil liability allowance clause. Retention of these conditions rated very highly in our member survey which we conducted prior to the commencement of negotiations.
Because the Award is likely to be in operation during a period of significant industry reform and workplace change it was important that it contain a strong set of consultation requirements. Clause 39, “Workplace Change and Redundancy”, sets out the new requirement for a 28 day formal consultation period to be observed prior to the implementation of any proposed change by a council.
The intention behind the provision is for councils to properly consult in relation to workplace change and for genuine efforts to be made to mitigate any adverse impacts of the changes on affected employees. It promises to be an often used provision which we hope will result in better decision making as well as enhanced opportunities for redeployment and job search support for staff that are facing redundancy.
I would like to acknowledge the assistance that has been provided by Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers in publishing this Award. Carroll & O’Dea is the LGEA’s legal firm of choice and provides a comprehensive range of legal services to the LGEA and LGEA members
Gordon Brock
Director