Cairns Regional Council shows it's "anti-worker" hand by flagging massive pay cuts for apprentices
Union slams act of betrayal - vows to fight tooth and nail to protect most vulnerable in cost-of-living crisis
The Electrical Trades Union has slammed the Cairns Regional Council's (CRC) for its persistent hostility towards the underpaid local heroes in their communities as enterprise bargaining approaches. The union is gearing up to fight tooth and nail against threats from the Council to slash apprentice wages by as much as $15,000 per year.
ETU Far North organiser Rob Hill called out the Council for reneging on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding the pay rates for apprentices. Accusing the Council of gross betrayal against a backdrop of critical skills shortages and attraction and retention difficulties within Council and at a time of a generational cost of living crisis.
"We have a long-standing agreement with Council that apprentices are paid a percentage of their tradesperson rates. It is an act of gross betrayal that Council's bean counters so disconnected from the weekly challenges faced by apprentices who are trying to make ends meet, are now proposing to run rough shod over the agreement and effectively slash apprentice wages by up to $15,000 annually." Mr Hill said.
"All this when the churn of electricians at Council is at record highs because of their low wages which is contributing to the cost-of-living crisis and a skills shortage locally."
"Council tradies are the unsung heroes in their communities, silently going about their business ensuring the community has safe and reliable resources available to them. During the floods last year, they were invaluable in efficiently returning normality to the effected communities." He said.
"Traditionally, places like councils are the 'nurseries' for tradespeople in society, and slashing lowly paid workers entitlements does nothing to attract people into these roles, which will further exacerbate the skills shortage issue!"
"It beggars belief that when regional councils across the state are reporting they are struggling to attract and retain skilled workers to fill vacancies, this council is effectively saying we don't value the workers we've got and furthermore we don't care what the future looks like we will cut the wages of already vulnerable apprentices and ensure we never become an employer of choice."
"Mayor Amy Eden never mentioned attacking lowly paid apprentice wages when she was on the campaign trail, and this is a clear attack on the most vulnerable council employees and sets the scene for an incredibly hostile enterprise bargaining agreement period." Mr Hill said.
"We call on Council to withdraw this anti-worker proposal immediately and properly consult with the ETU and the other unions to ensure there is no reduction in wages and that there is a clear program to ensure council can continue to attract tradespeople and apprentices now and into the future."
