Council seeks resolution to dispute over protective uniforms

Date: Thursday, 13th August 2009

Townsville City Council is seeking immediate intervention to stop an unlawful strike by members of the Australian Workers’ Union.

A stop-work meeting this morning resolved that some outdoor staff covered by the AWU would take strike action from midday for the rest of the day.

At least 194 workers from Construction and Maintenance, Parks and Water are involved. Essential services are not affected.

An Industrial Relations Commission hearing has been set down for 3.30pm today.

Council Chief Executive Officer Ray Burton said the action was unprotected under industrial relations law and the council had asked the Commission to intervene as soon possible.

Mr Burton said the AWU had informed the council that its members were taking action over the council’s plans to introduce a consistent workplace health and safety policy requiring all outdoor workers to wear long-sleeve shirts and long trousers to protect them from the sun.

The council has been consulting employees about extending the policy across the amalgamated organisation.

“We’ve engaged an independent expert to advise us on this matter, and we will assess each individual workplace within council. There will be some exemptions, based on the nature of particular environments,” he said.

“North Queensland has the highest rate of skin cancers in the world and we have a duty of care to all our workers.”