Shire of Augusta-Margaret River won’t finalise new worker agreement until next year

The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River has locked in a 3.5 per cent wages boost for its workers under a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement, but the full details of the staff deal won’t be known until it is finalised until early next year. Shire director of corporate and community services James Shepherd said the final EBA would be ratified in about March next year, in tandem with the Shire’s updated long-term financial plan. In August, the Times reported negotiations were afoot amid increased difficult attracting workers and consultants, with competition from the lucrative mining sector a big factor. Mr Shepherd said the deal offered to staff was attractive and occurred in negotiations which were ongoing “by mutual agreement”. “Working for the Shire remains an attractive proposition offering competitive wages, co-matching superannuation, flexible leave arrangements, recreation centre access, access to flexible salary-packaging arrangements and flexible working arrangements that support work/life balance,” he said. “Whilst wage pressure is having an impact on recruitment for a few specific skills positions, we are confident that we will be able to recruit the necessary staff to deliver services to the community.” The new EBA would be in place for 2023-24, Mr Shepherd said. More than ever, the Shire was working with the local professionals association and LinkedIn “to ensure we are getting to the right people in the right ways,” the director said. “The Shire is working collaboratively with the workforce with both parties aiming to conclude negotiations in line with the long-term financial planning process,” he said. Staff costs – which absorbed 72 per cent of the Shire’s rates income in 2021-22 and were 40 per cent of operational spending – came in just shy of $16 million last financial year, but were forecast at $17.142 million. In the latest budget, staff costs were forecast at about $17.853 million. Shortfalls in spending were due to unfilled positions, which included jobs the local government has struggled to fill and were an issue plaguing the sector. Previously, chief executive Stephanie Addison-Brown said a workforce plan was also in development and would consider cost risks including “the private sector being able to pay higher salaries”.