New South Wales Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airlines and
Utilities Union
Level 7, 321 Pitt St Sydney • Phone: (02) 9265 8211 Facsimile: (02) 9261 2265
Authorised by Ben Kruse, General Secretary, United Services Union, Sydney
MEDIA RELEASE
26 October 2009
LGSA winds back the clock on paid parental leave
Council workers stand to lose parental leave entitlements under a motion being
considered by the Local Government and Shires Association conference in
Tamworth this week.
United Services Union General Secretary Ben Kruse said the motion would send
councils back into the last century.
“While the rest of the world is actively trying to encourage family-friendly workplaces,
the NSW Local Government and Shires Association is heading the other way.
“This motion is a step backwards for women’s rights at work, and must be rejected by
the conference.”
Mr Kruse said the motion has been put up despite delegates at last year’s
conference voting unanimously to increase paid maternity leave to 18 weeks as part
of the Local Government Award.
“Last year the LGSA was basking in the glow of its landmark decision to increase
paid maternity leave for council employees from nine weeks to 18 weeks.
“Now councils are trying to shift responsibility back onto the Federal Government’s
incoming 18 week paid parental leave scheme.
“This is a lowest common denominator approach, which flies in the face of the
position the LGSA took only 12 months ago.”
Mr Kruse said councils should be taking the opportunity to be an employer of choice
and offering workers paid parental leave provisions in addition to the Federal
Government scheme.
“By abandoning its commitment to paid maternity leave, councils will lose any
opportunity they may have had to differentiate themselves from other government or
private sector employers.”
The USU is urging all delegates at this year’s annual conference to vote NO to
Executive Motion 49. Delegates are also urged to vote YES to motions 50 and 51,
which support the provision of 18 weeks paid maternity leave and two weeks paid
paternity leave, as a standard condition for all NSW Local Government employees.
For comment, please contact:
Ben Kruse, 0419 623 984 or Jodie Harrison, 0419 761 318
Claire Johnston, 0434 489 533
NEWS 
