An in-principle agreement has been reached between Noosa Council and its union member workers following months of industrial action over a pay dispute.
The breakthrough means all unions involved have agreed to end protected industrial action, and the council will suspend any further lockouts.
Council CEO Larry Sengstock was hoping a ballot could be arranged soon to consider a new certified agreement.
“This latest agreement, if approved in a staff-wide vote, will see our staff receive a pay rise well above inflation and help council remain financially sound into the future,” he said.
The council reached a position with the unions on Friday, which was agreed to in principle by union delegates at a meeting on Tuesday.
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The Services Union, which represents many council workers, described the process as long and challenging but welcomed the outcome.
“We’re pleased to report that at our meeting on Friday, June 6, with Commissioner (Sharron) Caddie, a significant breakthrough was achieved,” it said in a statement.
“We are now reviewing the updated documentation. Once that process is complete, we will confirm with council that the proposed certified agreement can proceed to ballot.”
The final agreement includes a 14.5 per cent pay rise over three years. It proposes a 6.5 per cent increase, or consumer price index if greater, backdated to February 2025, with further increases of 4 per cent proposed in both February 2026 and 2027.
The Services Union extended its thanks to members “who stood strong, united and determined in pursuit of a fair and reasonable pay rise – one that recognises your hard work and helps close the gap with neighbouring councils”.
Mr Sengstock said the council was always committed to striking the right balance between rewarding staff, ensuring job security and meeting the expectations of the community.
“The in-principle agreement is good news for all our staff and allows our organisation to get back to the important work of delivering for our community,” he said.
