Over 100 union members at Upper Lachlan Shire Council have walked off the job today after the general manager refused to meet with staff or their union over the axing of 25 jobs at the council.
Workers at the council are completely in the dark as to how they will be expected to pick up the extra work from all the positions that council wants to cut from the organisational structure.
The general manager needs to come clean and let staff and the community know what services will be cut, says United Services Union (USU) General Secretary Graeme Kelly OAM.
“We do not live in a secret society, our members and the community deserve to be told what this council’s plans are for the future,” said Mr Kelly.
“Besides the terrible state of having positions cut, what this council is refusing to tell staff and the community is where did all the money go?
“18 months ago the council told the union and staff that they were in a financially sound position, they’ve been saving money hand over fist by not filling vacant positions, they are selling off fixed assets, so where is the money?
“Our members have had enough, they want clear answers that make sense and they want council to stop cutting jobs and services to the community.
“What is going to go, ‘rhyme time’ at the local library for toddlers, or will weekend sport be cancelled because the grass is too long, or will the pool be closed come summer time?
“There is a council election coming up shortly, Councillors and the general manager need to be held accountable for the shocking state this council is in,” said Mr Kelly.
