Community & Business
19 September, 2025
SDRC workers walk off job in protest action
SDRC workers protest
In high-viz or neat office attire, council workers took to the streets to protest what they see is unfair pay and conditions in the workplace. On both ends of the shire, council employees gathered last week to chant, march, carry placards and protest as union-council negotiations stagnate.
Cr Joel Richters mingled with protesters in Warwick and Cr Russell Wantling did the same in Stanthorpe. Granite Belt business owner Nathan Colyer filmed the protest in Stanthorpe and immediately posted clippings to Facebook.
After failing to reach agreements, members of the Services Union walked off the job for two hours on September 11, in the carpark at the SDRC building in Warwick and Weeroona Park in Stanthorpe.
According to the union, the walk-out followed “Council’s refusal to propose a reasonable wage increase that keeps pace with record inflation during the life of the current Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA)".
"Negotiations have gone nowhere," TSW organiser Jason Shepher told The Town & Country Journal. "We've been misled."
He added that the current offer of just four per cent with no back pay has insulted staff after years of below-inflation increases. "The SDRC is not acknowledging CPI (consumer price index)".
A council spokesperson replied that council “greatly values the dedication of our staff and recognise the importance of fair wages. Council has worked diligently with the unions to balance this with the cost-of-living pressures faced by our ratepayers.”
Indeed, residents of the shire faced a fairly steep rate rise of around 7 percent after the budget was passed in June.
“Employees at Southern Downs Regional Council are already one of the lowest-paid councils in Southeast Queensland and the most recent pay offer is well below what other councils are offering their workers across the region,” Mr Shepherd said.
“On top of this, our members face inferior conditions, including a proposed unfair working roster for some employees.”
Cr Richters said he respects “the right of council employees to take industrial action and make their voices heard. Our staff are the backbone of the services our community relies on every day, and I am here to listen to their concerns.” Cr Richters stressed that he is not involved in the negotiation process, which he says sits “with management”, and that he is expressing his personal opinion of the situation.
Council, however, says they have “negotiated in good faith” and have “already agreed to many of the requests put forward by the unions.” Council’s current offer “exceeds the State Government’s wage increase of 3.5 percent and “is in line with agreements reached by councils of similar size across Queensland.”
The union disagrees. “Council’s so-called ‘final offer’ disrespects the vital frontline services our members provide daily to ratepayers, and it fails to recognise the value of all staff equally.”
“Our members deliver the essential services that keep the Southern Downs running—from maintaining local infrastructure and the natural environment to being the first port of call in Council’s contact centre to working in the libraries plus looking after the waste, water and community facilities.”
“Our members are proud to serve the Southern Downs community, but pride doesn’t pay the bills.”
The SDRC spokesperson said that they are “disappointed that the unions have chosen to take strike action rather than continue constructive discussions”.
“It’s time for Mayor Melissa Hamilton and CEO Rachel Brophy to step in and fix this. Until that time, our members are prepared to stand strong,” Mr Shepherd said.
Mayor Hamilton was unavailable for comment.
It is unclear, however, what role Mayor Hamilton has in negotiations, despite the blame put on her by the union and a number of council workers involved in the industrial action.
Nevertheless, the council spokesperson assured that “Council remains open and willing to return to the negotiating table to reach a resolution that is fair, sustainable, and in the best interests of both our workforce and the community we serve.”
