Jennifer Pittorino
Australian Services Union (ASU) members at Maribyrnong council are taking industrial action over wage increases.
The ASU said council’s offer would see workers’ pay go backwards against rising inflation and cost of living.
ASU Victorian and Tasmanian branch decretary Lisa Darmanin said they have tried for over a year to reach a fair agreement with council but have been left with no choice but to take protected industrial action.
“Employees at Maribyrnong have tried to reach an agreement on fair pay for almost a year, but council have offered pay rises of just 2 per cent while inflation has spiked to over 7 per cent,” she said.
“Clearly this means an effective pay cut of around 5 per cent which is completely unreasonable.”
Ms Darmanin said staff are not looking for unreasonable pay rises, requesting 2.5-3.5 per cent which remains under inflation.
Maribyrnong council chief executive Celia Haddock said council recognises the rights of employees who are union members in taking protected industrial action.
“We are disappointed this is occurring against the backdrop of many months of dialogue and with a realistic settlement offer currently on the table,” she said.
“Council has approached this bargaining round in good faith, and has been working with staff representatives and their unions to negotiate a fair and sustainable outcome.”
Ms Darmanin said indefinite industrial action will include a ban or ‘stoppage’ on clearing street bins, street sweeping, garden maintenance, enforcing parking restrictions.
The stoppages will also include a ban on answering external phone calls and emails, which will be diverting or forwarded to management, as well as a pause on collecting library book returns, servicing and maintaining council vehicles like rubbish trucks.
“Staff are looking down the barrel of mortgage defaults and some are avoiding meals to make ends meet with the cost of everything on the rise,” she said.
“These are the people who maintain our parks and gardens, staff our libraries and collect our rubbish, they don’t deserve to be treated like this.”
Council said the wage offer is fair and shows value to its employees, while keeping the organisation financially stable amidst a growing community who are dealing with cost of living increases.
“We recognise the industrial action now being taken may impact residents and ratepayers and we are doing our best to maintain services – but ask for our community’s patience at this time,” Ms Haddock said.
