The United Services Union and Cessnock City Council have condemned Meta's failure to remove Facebook videos targeting Council employees, demanding the company act immediately to protect workers from online abuse.
The union and Council say requests to remove the videos assaulting Council staff while serving the community have failed to secure appropriate action from Meta.
United Services Union General Secretary Graeme Kelly OAM said workers' safety and wellbeing must come before a social media company's willingness to host abusive content.
"I am disgusted by these attacks on Council employees and deeply concerned about the impact on workers and their families," Mr Kelly said.
"These are people doing their jobs and providing services our community relies on. They deserve respect, and their mental health and wellbeing must be protected.
"Meta has been asked to remove these videos. Its failure to act is unacceptable. A company with Meta's resources should be capable of responding promptly when workers are being targeted on its platform."
Mr Kelly praised Council's swift response under General Manager Natalia Cowley's leadership.
"I appreciate and fully support the action Council has taken under Natalia Cowley's leadership to defend its workers and protect the Cessnock community," he said.
"Employers must stand up for their staff, and Council has demonstrated that commitment."
Cessnock City Mayor Daniel Watton said Council stood firmly behind its employees.
"Our staff are members of this community. They are our neighbours, friends and family, and they have every right to feel safe and respected at work," Mayor Watton said.
"Council staff should be able to go to work without being intimidated, abused or turned into content for social media."
General Manager Natalia Cowley said Council expects Meta to remove the material promptly.
"Council has acted swiftly to support our workers and seek the removal of this material. We expect Meta to take those concerns seriously and act," Ms Cowley said.
"We will continue standing up for our employees and their right to serve our community without abuse or intimidation."
Mr Kelly said the attacks reinforced the urgent need for stronger legislative protections for council employees and other workers providing services to the public.
"This abuse shows why stronger protections cannot keep being put off," he said.
"The NSW Government must make legislation protecting council workers and other service workers a priority.
"Since 2023, assaulting, harassing or intimidating a retail worker on the job has been a specific criminal offence in NSW. Now the NSW Parliament must pass new laws protecting council workers and other service workers and letting a court ban a repeat abuser from the workplace.
"No one should have to accept abuse as part of their job."
Pictured: Cessnock City Mayor Daniel Watton, General Manager Natalia Cowley and United Services Union Northern Region Industrial Officer Luke Hutchinson with Council staff near the site of last week's incident.
