The USU is concerned that council workers will lose employment protections while the review of local government services is being carried out.

General secretary Ben Kruse said that workers were in a legal limbo while during the review, and there are fears councils may seek to change their employment structures during the process.

“The independent review of New England local services should not be allowed to jeopardise the employment security or wages of employees.

“Because of the Government’s use of the term ‘review period’ instead of ‘proposal period’, there is a fear that legislative protections against forced redundancies are null and void.

“This is dangerous territory for local workers as well as local services, and we are demanding clarity,” Mr Kruse said.

The USU has written to Local Government Minister Barbara Perry seeking confirmation that employment protections will apply to all workers during the review period, as if it were a ‘proposal period’ classified in the Local Government Act.

“The union is taking immediate action to obtain employment security undertakings from both the Government and the councils.

“More specifically we are demanding that councils not implement forced redundancies, nor adopt organisation restructures that would adversely affect employees.

“This is not a matter that should be ignored, and the union has seen first-hand how local communities and workers can lose out when the self-interest of councils is put above employee rights,” Mr Kruse said.

The USU will put in a submission as part of the review after consultation with employees.

Walcha Council general manager Jack O’Hara said Walcha Council was committed to its local workforce and there would be no changes made during the review period.

The New England Strategic Alliance of Councils was made up of Armidale Dumaresq Council, Guyra Shire Council, Uralla Shire Council and Walcha.