QLD legislation strips protection for members

Monday, 30 July 2012      

Section: Latest News

The newly elected Queensland government has wasted no time in undoing previous protections for employees who were transferred from local government to water distribution companies.

Unions had secured legislative protections for conditions of employment existing with their previous employer during transition and into employment which included references to the legislation in some enterprise agreements.  

In the dwindling days of the outgoing government the Gold Coast City Council voted to take back control of water.

The costs to do this under the previous arrangements had to be borne by Gold Coast and not the smaller neighbouring local government authorities.

Without consultation the situation has changed and protections for APESMA members eroded.

Read the extract of the Bill 

APESMA members have attended mass meetings at Unity Water and Allconex.

It is important that we build collective strength at our workplaces so that we can bargain conditions in to the future at water companies and so that we can enforce the status quo arrangements that members enjoy.