Council in dirty dispute
“We are assessing the potential impacts this action will cause our organisation but we can confirm that employee or public safety will not be compromised,’’ acting council CEO Joe McCabe said.
AWU acting secretary Steve Baker said workers decided to send a strong message that the council’s Future City proposal was unacceptable and unfair.
The council had rejected all of the union’s claims throughout the marathon negotiations despite the AWU arguing that many were cost-neutral.
Council had proposed an increase in the daily ordinary hours from 4am to 9pm and for those hours to reflect a regular weekday for certain work areas, the union said.
The AWU described the wage offer of 1.8 per cent and an additional 0.5 per cent as “insulting”. It sought 3.5 per cent in the first year to cover loss in wages during recent years. THESE youngsters fin-k they have what it takes to be crowned the Gold Coast’s first Young Whale Warrior.
Spirit of Gold Coast Whale Watching has launched a competition to find the city’s most passionate junior whale fan.
It is open to students in Years 3 to 6 across the Gold Coast who want to share their passion for the ocean giants by submitting drawings, videos or written pieces.
Siblings Kane, 9, and Summer Peters, 11, from Ca- ningeraba State School were feeling inspired at prime whale-spotting location Burleigh Heads as they put the finishing touches on their entries.
“Humpback whales are my favourite because they just splash all over the ocean,” Kane said.
Entries for the Young Whale Warrior competition can be submitted to info@spiritwhalewatching.com.au before August 28.
The winner will receive a family season pass for Spirit of Gold Coast and a day out on the boat with a marine biologist, plus a prize pack.