Council criticised over Sorry Business leave plan

A council in Victoria has come under fire over a plan to offer ‘Sorry Business Leave’ which would give Indigenous staff three extra days off every year for a period of mourning or bereavement.

The City of Bendigo has also reportedly offered staff a one-off $500 payment who sign a pay agreement that mentions banning the phrase Australia Day.

The proposal was criticised by the Australian Services Union, who recommended that workers vote against the deal.

Staff, both union and not, voted against the deal, nine per cent over the next three years.

“I think workers are often very cynical of what they perceive as a bribe and I think in this case, you’ve seen workers reject that,” union leader Zoe Edwards said.