source : the age
After months of dispute with the state government, an in-principle pay agreement has been reached for youth detention workers in Queensland.
Unions had been reporting dangerous staff conditions and overcrowding in detention centres amid negotiations that culminated in strikes and workplace bans.
On Wednesday evening, Australian Workers’ Union secretary Stacey Schinnerl released a statement confirming an in-principle agreement had been reached on behalf of members.
“This offer will see pay rises, an advanced progression for new starters, a senior position review and lucrative retention payments for long-serving employees,” she said.
“It goes some way in supporting retention and attraction of workers in some of Queensland’s toughest and most high-risk workplaces.”
She added “nothing will shift our laser focus on improving workplace safety and tackling the scourge of occupational violence”.
Minister for Youth Justice Laura Gerber confirmed the agreement had been struck with the AWU, Together Union and United Workers Union.
“The safety of our youth detention workers is vitally important, and the agreement will support our workforce including through a retention payment for long-term employees,” she said.
“The agreement also includes accelerated pay progressions and an increased operational allowance for workers, in line with wage increases.
“The breakthrough marks a significant milestone in returning detention centres to normal operations.”
The agreement still needs to be voted on by staff members.
A representative for the minister’s office said it contained wage increases of 3.5 per cent in the first year and then 2.5 per cent in the next two years.
It also included one-off retention payments for long-term employees of $3000 after five years’ service and $6000 after 10 years’ service, as well as accelerated pay progressions for new starters.
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