SIA WINS

Late last week there was concern that the Nunawading Swimming Club planned on terminating almost forty of its longest serving employees effective immediately. The SIA is glad to confirm that after communications with club management it has agreed not to terminate any of its loyal staff base before September 27.

The organisers at SIA fought to save the jobs of these employees and the connection to their employer, stating that to terminate some of the most experienced swim teachers at the club whilst they were still receiving JobKeeper would be severely misguided. The employees have been receiving the JobKeeper payment since the announcement that swim schools are not currently able to operate under Covid-19 restrictions.

SIA understands that businesses are struggling during the pandemic and that there is a lot of uncertainty. However, the successful reopening of the swim school is not going to be achieved by firing its most experienced teachers, especially while their wages are still being subsidised.

The solution to successfully reopening the swim school and indeed all swim schools in the industry, is to work with the union and with employees, in order to achieve a balanced and considerate approach, in a common sense manner. This is a win for the union and a win for common sense.

The SIA will continue to fight for the positions of these employees, even as the club persists with terminating their employment. Terminating key employees whilst on JobKeeper is ludicrous but terminating them full stop should also be avoided. These employees form the backbone of the industry and the persistence by Nunawading Swimming Club to still terminate their employment is not acceptable.

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