City of Newcastle (CN) is paving the way for the rest of the state to follow its lead via its progressive Enterprise Agreement (EA) 2023.
Up to 20 days of paid leave will be accessible to all NSW local government employees in domestic violence (DV) situations, along with miscarriage assistance and a range of other initiatives offering staff greater support and flexibility, if the proposed Local Government (State) Award 2023 receives an endorsement on 1 July.
There are many further benefits, too.
For example, returned servicemen and women will be recognised by being granted paid “time off” to attend Remembrance Day and Anzac Day, while apprentices and trainees obtain a leg-up with 100% of their tool allowance covered.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said CN’s industry-leading EA 2023 would set the tone for NSW.
“As one of the first councils to lead the way in DV leave provisions back in 2018, we’re pleased to see the results of those successful negotiations presented to all local government employees in the state,” she stated.
“It’s challenged the entire sector to embrace the progressive elements of the enterprise agreement.”
CN CEO Jeremy Bath said the outcome achieved for local government employees statewide was a testament to all parties involved.
“The inclusion of these new provisions in the proposed State Award is a great result for staff in NSW, the unions, delegates and ratepayers,” he added.
“It’s wonderful to see the benefits and employment conditions led by CN’s EA now reflected in the proposed State Award, in addition to the industry’s commitment to inclusion, diversity and equity.”
United Services Union (USU) official Luke Hutchinson said the scheme reaffirmed its long-standing history of delivering improved pay and conditions for all 50,000 workers employed throughout councils in NSW.
“This proposal provides improved workplace conditions that will enable optimum services for our community and delivers socially progressive conditions such as access to miscarriage leave, improved parental leave, improved workplace flexibility and improved family and domestic violence leave,” he explained.
“Following the resolution of CN’s EA in late 2022, the USU challenged the rest of the sector to embrace the progressive elements of the enterprise agreement.”
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