By Xavier Smerdon
A WYNDHAM City Council employee has spoken to Star about growing frustrations among staff as management and workers butt heads over a pay dispute.
Staff have been offered a four per cent pay rise but have been denied a request to receive once a year payments based on length of employment.
Dave Beckley from the Australian Services Union said it was unfair that the council’s CEO and directors were among the highest paid in Australia, while staff were expected to stay at average wages.
Mr Beckley said CEO Kerry Thompson is being paid around $365,000 a year, the same as Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Mr Beckley also claimed that more than 20 senior management staff were being paid six figure salaries.
One of the workers, who wanted to remain anonymous, told Star that working at the council was a demanding job and the pay should reflect that.
The CEO and the Mayor are always bragging that we re one of the fastest growing municipalities but they don’t seem to understand that means our workload is always increasing, the employee said.
Every new family that moves in means more work for us and all we are asking for is half a per cent more.
CEO Kerry Thompson said the current offer was sensible financially.
“Wyndham City’s offer of a four per cent increase each year for three years is considered reasonable, taking into consideration the current economic climate and the need to ensure ratepayers funds are expended responsibly,” Ms Thompson said.
Increasing the salaries of existing staff does not address the increasing work demand which comes with growth. This is best addressed by increasing the number of staff, and staffing levels have been significantly increased over the last two years.
Mayor John Menegazzo said he could not comment on operational matters but he supported the original offer made to staff.
“All I can say is that from my point of view, and I think the community will support the fact that I think it’s a fair offer that’s been made,” Cr Menegazzo said.
