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Debutantes shine at ball 15 young ladies were officially introduced to society on Saturday, May 2, at the annual Mareeba Debutante Ball. Photos by Peter Roy, page 12.
TRC negotiates By Justin Fris
T
ABLELANDS Regional Council CEO Ian Church has reaffirmed Council’s commitment to its workforce, amid recent contrary claims from disenchanted union representatives. The Services Union – who released information last Thursday hinting that TRC employees could be caught in a wage freeze – said they were concerned that TRC employees could potentially lose current working conditions if terms of a certified agreement could not be agreed between both parties. Mr Church openly told The Express that it was TRC management’s desire to ensure that no em-
ployee was left worse off under any signed certified agreement. “It is highly disappointing that this sensitive matter of employee remuneration and conditions is being played out in our local media through the instigation of Brisbane based representatives,” he said. “[Representatives] that have not played any role in the collaborative negotiations undertaken to create a fair and equitable Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) for our staff, and who obviously have no concern regarding the negative impacts that this could have on our workplace morale, community perception of our employees and Council as a community service organisation. “Throughout the negotiation process we have
been open and transparent, reiterating our desire that no employee shall be worse off than under current conditions and providing an agreement that our community can afford.” In a written statement, Secretary of The Services Union Neil Henderson said the union had written to TRC Mayor Rosa Lee Long, Mr Church and councillors and asked for a 12 month freeze on negations, while changes to the Industrial Relations Act were implemented; in a bid to protect employee conditions. “This request, as well as that of a long overdue interim pay increase for hard working Council employees, was rejected,” Mr Henderson said. “This is extremely disappointing. It would appear council management are intent on punish-
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ing their employees by freezing their overdue wages.” In a bid to clean the air and clearly define the current situation, Mr Church has provided context into the situation facing TRC management at the negotiation table. “On Tuesday, December 2, the Enterprise Bargaining Committee (EBC) met in Atherton to commence negotiations on a new Certified Agreement for TRC employees,” he said. “Management representatives met with the organisers and employee delegates of three unions: the AWU, the Services Union and CFMEU. At this meeting, TRC management provided the following negotiating principles: CONTINUED PAGE 3
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