City adopts paid family and domestic violence leave

City of Newcastle today marked adoption of paid family and domestic violence leave as a part of its newly ratified enterprise agreement.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes joined the United Services Union, the union representing City workers, to announce adoption of the staff support scheme, which entitles victims of domestic violence to 10 extra days paid leave a year.

Left to right, Ross Warren and Kevin Burgess, City of Newcastle USU delegates, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and United Services Union General Secretary Graeme Kelly.

"This is an important day for victims of family and domestic violence moving forward," Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.

"The City is committed to providing employees with support if they're experiencing family and domestic violence or providing support to an immediate family or household member experiencing it.

"As part of this support, we will offer up to 10 days additional paid leave per year if they are in these terrible circumstances or supporting someone affected by it."

United Services Union (USU) General Secretary Graeme Kelly congratulated the City on the move during a meeting of local union representatives this morning.

“The United Services Union has been campaigning for over a year to ensure that employees of City of Newcastle have access to this important workplace entitlement," General Secretary Kelly said.

“Whether directly, or indirectly, family violence is a workplace issue that affects working people every day, so we thank City of Newcastle for their leadership.”

The new enterprise agreement was ratified by the Fair Work Commission on 5 November 2018 and comes into effect on 2 January 2019.