Why our Union rejected the CHRC offer

The Services Union undertook further Certified Agreement (CA discussions with Central Highlands Regional Council. Having rejected the Council’s previous offer based on your survey input, we tabled the following counter-proposal:
  • 15% pay increase over three years:
    • 8% from 1 July 2024,
    • 5% from 1 July 2025,
    • 2% from 1 July 2026 (with negotiated safety net),
    • Nominal Expiry 30 June 2027.
  • Additional initial uplift to all Stream A and B base-rates of $750/year or 1% (whichever greater), as a step towards addressing the Gender Pay Gap and the distorted relativities across Award streams (e.g., a tradesperson is currently paid more than an experienced professional with a four-year degree).
  • One-off balance uplift of additional two weeks’ annual leave.
  • Rolleston dependent rate Locality Allowance for all staff.
  • Employer contributions maintained at 2.75% over Super guarantee.
  • Increase tool allowance to $2000 (indexed to agreed annual increases).
  • Laundry Allowance of $7.70 per week and indexed to agreed annual pay increases.
  • Unpleasant and Hazardous Conditions Allowance of $12 per day with time-and-a-half for particularly unpleasant or hazardous conditions.
  • Alignment to highest current rate of on-call, callout and overtime payments.
  • No forced redundancies.
Regarding the pay increase, we reinforced the point that while your current CA delivered an average of 6.26%, the CPI increased up to 18.5% over the same period. Several other Councils had recently agreed to deliver in the vicinity of 15% over three years:

Category 1


North Burnett – 15% over three years
Longreach – 15% over three years and four months
Hinchinbrook – 14% over three years with a base-rate uplift of $1500 (equal to an additional 2.3% at Level 2.4 and 1.86% at 5.1)

Category 3 (same as CHRC) –


South Burnett – 10% over two years It’s clear as to why members directed The Services Union to reject the Council’s offer. If you work with someone who is not yet a member, now’s the time to encourage them to join and contribute to the outcome you all deserve.

We’re back at the table on Friday 7 June. If you have any questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to contact your Workplace Delegates.