The WALGA State Council last night (Wednesday 6^th April) unanimously resolved to support the retention of WA Local Governments within the Federal industrial relations system.

Local Government as an industry now has a formalised position that the Local Government Industry Award 2010 should be applied to WA Local Government employers and that Federal enterprise agreements are the preferred employment instrument.

Support was also provided for continued representation to the State Government, in alliance with CCI (WA), for clarity on this issue including advocating for a referral of ‘industrial’ powers to the Federal Government. 

WALGA will now seek a meeting with the new Minister of Commerce, Simon O’Brien to advocate on this issue.

If your Senior Management team or Councillors would like a briefing on this issue, please contact Simon White, Employee Relations Service Manager, on 08 9213 2015 to make the appropriate arrangements.

A copy of the full resolution is as follows:

That State Council:

1. Notes the work undertaken by the Association’s Workplace Solutions employee relations advisers in relation to the continued coverage of Western Australian Local Government employers within the Federal industrial relations system including the registration of the Local Government Industry Award 2010;

2. Further notes that WA Local Government employees have historically been predominately employed under two federally registered industrial Awards (the Local Government Officers’ Award 1999 and the Municipal Employees Award 1999) and supports the view that member Local Governments continue to be considered ‘National System Employers’ (NSE) for the purposes of the Fair Work Act 2009;

3. Endorses representation to the State Government of the sector’s need for clarity regarding the jurisdiction which applies to member Local Governments, including advocating for referral of WA’s State industrial relations powers to the Federal Government;

4. Supports the continued support to member Local Governments on this issue through the provision of industrial and employment related advice by WALGA’s Workplace Solutions unit; and

5. Endorses continuing close cooperation with CCI (WA) on matters pertaining to determination of Award jurisdiction for WA Local Governments.