Mediation Moves At Christchurch
< Christchurch City Council and Southern Local Government
Officers Union agree on mediation The Christchurch City
Council and the Southern Local Government Officers Union
(SLGOU) today agreed to go into mediation on their Salaried
Staff Collective Agreement. Council General Manager Human
Resources Philippa Jones says that while good progress has
been made on a range of issues since the negotiations
started in June this year, the parties have different views
on the key issues of remuneration and hours of
work. However, in a bid to reach agreement, both parties
agreed to request the assistance of the Department of Labour
Mediation Service and the services of Walter Grills, who has
considerable experience in mediating on these issues. "We
are again seeking to redress the imbalance in our salary
structure in which workers on the lower grades are paid well
above the market rates, while those in the higher grades are
well below the market. These higher graded staff are, for
example, the engineers and planners who are keenly sought
after in the labour market. If we don't meet market pay
rates in these key areas, then we won't attract the calibre
of staff we need," Ms Jones says. Ms Jones says the
Council is also very mindful of the impact that any salary
increase will have on rates. "The Council has increased
rates this year to cover levels of services and capital
projects. There is provision for a wage increase in our
budget, but we have to work within the amount allocated,"
she says. The Council is also seeking greater flexibility
around hours of work so it can support its business, comply
with the Local Government Act 2002, and be responsive to
community needs. The Council confirms that the current 37.5
ordinary hours of work for current employees will not
change. END