By Goya Dmytryshchak
A bitter union dispute shows no sign of easing as Hobsons Bay council staff continue work bans implemented before summer, including not removing seaweed or fallen branches except where public health is threatened.
Bans are in place on mowing jobs in sporting fields and reserves, refilling dog-bag dispensers, processing court documents for new fines, issuing planning infringement notices, cleaning minor plant and equipment or refuelling vehicles after 1pm.
Australian Services Union members said the council had previously threatened to lock out workers for taking protected industrial action in “an almost unprecedented move by a Victorian council”.
Union organiser Luke Cherry said the dispute had gone to the Fair Work Commission but no resolution was reached.
“Council made commitments and we reached without-prejudice agreement to lift the work bans while we continued to negotiate, then council reneged on their commitments so the bans have remained on,” he said.
“Labour hire has been being used to clear seaweed but because they don’t have the right equipment it’s very slow for them.
“It’s been piling up there since early December and the smell is pretty pervasive throughout Altona, depending on the wind.
“Collecting branches, except where there’s a risk to public safety, has been stopped, too, and a lot of other bans on operations of council.”
He said council management had offered an eight per cent pay increase over a five-year period including one year backdated, meaning an average annual increase of 1.6 per cent. The union is seeking a 7.5 per cent pay increase over three years.
“I can’t really see the impasse being resolved any time soon,” Mr Cherry said.
“We are looking at returning to the Fair Work Commission to try and resolve it.
“Hobsons Bay City Council management are intending to put an offer out to vote which is destined to be voted down, and if they have their way we’re facing many more months of prolonged industrial action, likely to escalate significantly to long-term stoppages.”
A council spokesperson said negotiations were continuing “to come to a fair and sustainable enterprise agreement that supports the same good working conditions staff have always enjoyed, while ensuring the organisation’s ongoing financial sustainability”.
“We have ensured the work bans have resulted in no negative impact on our community and the services they rightfully deserve,” the spokesperson said.
“Contractors have been engaged to deliver a number of the services included in the work bans.
“There has been a higher than anticipated volume of seaweed over the last week due to adverse weather conditions.
“Our contractors are bringing larger, fit-for-purpose machinery on site early next week to clear any remaining seaweed from our local beaches.”
