Newcastle City Council Offering 10 Days Paid Domestic Violence Leave As Part Of New Enterprise Agreement

BY JARROD MELMETH

Newcastle City Council have adopted a new enterprise agreement which aims to improve productivity by creating a more flexible workplace.

The newly ratified agreement includes opt-in work arrangements such as unpaid leave, working from home, purchased additional annual leave, working four years out of five and working from home.

It's the first agreement in partnership with the Services Union in more than eight years and will also include 10 days of paid domestic violence leave.

Paid domestic violence is used for victims to seek safe housing; attend related medical and legal appointments or organise alternative care and schooling arrangements for their children while still being able to accumulate all other forms of leave.

Newcastle United Services Union organiser Luke Hutchinson said flexible work arrangements help employees in their work and personal lives.

"The Union is very proud to resolve this matter with Newcastle City Council to provide domestic violence leave for victims and their families to assist with this hideous social matter that we are unfortunately dealing within Australia at the moment.

"This provides some additional support for these victims and their families," Mr Hutchinson said.

The agreement also includes the annual 2.5 per cent minimum pay rise as per the 2017 Local Government Award.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the city is committed to providing support to its employees.

Left to right, Ross Warren and Kevin Burgess, City of Newcastle USU delegates,

 Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and United Services

 Union General Secretary Graeme Kelly.

Phoney pledge by Lord Mayor: Kath Elliott

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

A pledge by Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes to protect council jobs has come under attack from Independent Lord Mayoral candidate, Kath Elliott.

The Independents have described the pledge as phony, saying council is increasingly relying on contract staff to cover absentees and leave and is accusing Labor of doing a deal with the unions to get their financial support for the election campaign.

It comes as council staff enter negotiations for a new enterprise agreement, but the independents say it doesn't make sense with more and more contract staff being hired.

However, the United Services Union (USU) which represents a majority of the workers employed at the council, has called out Kath Elliott's claims her team will "retain and enhance" council services and "do what is right for workers". They say given her refusal to commit to not cutting jobs or outsourcing services it's a bit rich.

"There's a history with these conservatives and these independents when they run for council or run for office they say one thing and when they get in there they do something completely different. If they're serious about saving jobs and enhancing the opportunities for locals to work on council they are doing exactly what the Labor party is proposing," said Graeme Kelly from the USU.

The union is welcoming the current Lord Mayor's decision to sign the pledge and believe it's not too late for councillors to jump on board. Graeme Kelly says they're working with council to put a stop to outsourcing.

"Council jobs are always under threat and we're doing what we can to ensure that Newcastle City Council workers get some security and employment and that's why we're seeking these pledges be signed by the candidates who are running for office."

Image newcastle.nsw.gov.au