Members vote to accept Isaac Regional Council's offer

Following paid time meetings and an online survey, a majority of The Services Union (our Union) members at Isaac Regional Council voted to accept Council’s current offer.

The bargaining team confirmed this position at the meeting on 7 May. Our Union is now reviewing the draft agreement to ensure all new clauses and amendments are correctly reflected. This will be followed by an access period during which members can review the agreement before it proceeds to a Council-wide ballot.

Importantly, the agreed wage increases will apply from 1 July 2026, even if the agreement has not yet been certified by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.

While the offer was accepted, your bargaining team made it clear to Council that this decision was driven by pragmatism rather than enthusiasm, with ongoing disappointment regarding wages.

Negotiations have, however, secured a range of important improvements, including:
  • Housing Portfolio Clause: Ensures equitable and consistent housing allocation, limits rental increases, and requires consultation and union agreement on any detrimental changes.
  • Alternate Roster Clause: Introduces the ability to trial non-standard rosters, including four-day work weeks, by mutual agreement at the individual or team level.
  • Enhanced Job Security and Redundancy Provisions: Establishes a Training and Redeployment Pool, providing up to six months of additional time for retraining and redeployment where roles are at risk.
  • Additional Specialist Medical Leave: Provides five days per year (non-cumulative) once personal leave is exhausted.
  • End-of-Year Shutdown Flexibility: Allows employees to work during the shutdown period by mutual agreement with their supervisor.
  • Change of Permanent Work Location: Provides two additional days’ leave and reimbursement of reasonable relocation costs where permanent relocation is required.
  • Portability of Personal Leave: Allows transfer of up to $5,000 of accrued personal leave to other Queensland local governments, Government Owned Corporations, or State Government employers.

Wage Outcomes

  • Year 1 (from 1 July 2026): 4.7%
  • Year 2 (from 1 July 2027): 3% + 5% locality allowance
  • Year 3 (from 1 July 2028): 3% + 5% locality allowance

A CPI review clause has also been included. This commits Council to meet with unions to negotiate further wage increases if CPI exceeds more than double the agreed wage increase in any year.

Looking ahead, it is critical that we continue to strengthen our Union to ensure members’ efforts and sacrifices are recognised in future bargaining. This will also be key as we oversee implementation of the agreement through the Joint Consultative Committee.

Thank you to all members who contributed to meetings, surveys, and claims throughout this process. In particular, we acknowledge the work of delegates Kelly Shepherd, Cathy Furness, and our newest delegate Elizabeth Iupeli for their advocacy.

Finally, please encourage non-members to join. Growing our membership strengthens our collective voice and our ability to achieve better outcomes.