The EARC employee YES vote was 81 per cent. It is great to have such a high level of support from our employees.

This is the fifth Enterprise Bargaining Agreement for EARC, since the regional council started in 2008. The Enterprise Bargaining Agreement has progressively improved the wages and the wide range of conditions for all our hard working staff.

We are now arranging with the Fair Work Commission for the new Enterprise Agreement to be formally in place as soon as possible.

As it is unclear how long this process will take at this late time of the year, I have arranged for all staff to be paid the back payment of this year’s 4 per cent increases to wages, the Locality Allowance and other allowances (from 1 July to 15 September 2024). This will ensure all staff receive the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement increases before Christmas. 

Again, I would like to thank the United Workers Union and the EARC employee representatives for their hard work and their representation of EARC employees during the agreement discussions and negotiations. I extend this thanks to our highly valued staff who serve all our communities so well.

Dale Keehne
CEO