Council and AWU reach consensus over sun-safety uniforms

Date: Friday, 28th August 2009

Townsville City Council and the Australian Workers’ Union have negotiated an agreement over sun-safe uniforms for the council’s outdoor workers.

In a conference in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission in Townsville, council accepted a suggestion from the AWU and other unions that loose knee-length pants be part of the PPE clothing offer to outdoor employees.

Earlier this month 200 council workers covered by the AWU went on strike (13 August) for half a day over council’s proposed introduction of long-sleeved shirts and long trousers for all outdoor workers.

The council is advocating the protective uniforms as a sun-safety measure under its workplace health and safety policy.

Council Chief Executive Officer Ray Burton said he was happy with the Commissioner’s recommendation to include shorts as an alternative to trousers.

“At the IRC conference we heard that the Cancer Council of Queensland offers ‘loose knee-length pants’ as a reasonable alternative and we accept that recommendation,” Mr Burton said.

“The AWU proposed that we adopt this additional measure and it is reasonable, given the climate in the Townsville region, which does impact on the everyday comfort of employees.

“It will apply unless there is a clearly identified occupational safety need for wearing long trousers. We will consult with the unions on identifying what those situations are.

“All of our outdoor workers will still be required to wear long-sleeved shirts.

“The new uniform requirements will come in on 1 December this year. In the meantime, until the new policy takes effect, all of our outdoor workers will have the option of wearing shorts.”

“We’ve worked co-operatively with all the parties and we’ll continue to work together to settle on the finer details, such as the type of fabric and what will apply to particular work environments.”

In the conference before Commissioner Thompson, the council was represented by its Manager of Employee Relations Greg Moylan, Senior Employee Relations Consultant Barry Mitchell, and Manager of Health, Safety, Wellbeing and Information Systems Troy Greenwood.

The AWU was represented by Rod Stockham and Renee Broanda. The AWU representatives were accompanied by representatives of the Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy, Industrial Union of Employees (CFMEU) and the Queensland and Federated Engine Drivers’ and Firemen’s Association of Queensland (FEDFA).