LGNSW disappoints on standard contracts

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Published: Tuesday, 23 February 2021 13:15

LGNSW is the authoritative policy development and Council lobby group and employers’ organisation but, when you get down to it, their members are the councillors. While we have good relationships with their industrial staff and others, sometimes it’s the councillors that get to call the shots on issues that really should be left to others.

LGNSW understands committing to a principal and their historic and unwavering opposition to rate-pegging is a perfect example. It’s a political position they’ve taken and prosecuted for almost as long as we’ve pursued our contempt for term contracts and the capacity for employers to sack people unfairly. We admire their tenacity and commitment.

This year, we’ll be pushing hard with our continuing campaign to remove the standard contract for levels below the GM. Piecemeal and minor changes to the standard contract that fall short of this are a disappointment, as is any refusal to prevent the termination of employees on the standard contract without mandatory mediation. Or an opportunity to test the fairness of termination in an accessible and cost-free tribunal.

LGNSW has surveyed their “members” and come back with a policy view that they will not support the removal of the standard contract. We are disappointed about that, and we look forward to some political leadership beyond the self-interest of councillors who like the idea of being able to get rid of GM’s and others without scrutiny and oversight.