More than 45,000 council staff across New South Wales have been made eligible for special vaccination leave, after 105 of the state’s councils opted-in to a special Local Government (COVID-19) Splinter (Interim) Award 2020 secured by peak body LGNSW and unions last year.
LGNSW President Councillor Linda Scott, said, “This new leave allowance allows council staff to get vaccinated without impacting their regular sick leave.”
Cr Scott said Councils were often the dominant employer in their particular area, so their take-up of the vaccine can play a really important role in helping to keep local communities safe and healthy.
“Local government has provided a locally led economic recovery for their communities in the face of multiple crises in the past 18 months, and created new jobs in the process.
“We don’t want anything to get in the way of that.
“Ensuring our workforce is vaccinated, where they are eligible, ensures a stronger health and economic recovery for NSW, and keeps our communities safe from the threat of COVID.
“Providing leave to allow our workforce to be vaccinated, and to be redeployed where possible when in isolation, is the right thing to do.
“This latest Award outcome will help councils do their bit in the battle against COVID. It will also help keep our valuable council staff safe.
