Last Thursday (29 May), Greater Dandenong attended a Fair Work Commission hearing regarding the ASU’s multi-employer bargaining application for our council and nine other councils: Brimbank, Darebin, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Merri-bek, Port Phillip and Yarra.
The Union was successful in their application to proceed, which means a further hearing will be scheduled after all the councils’ current EAs have expired (after 4 July). Our EA expires on the 30th of June 2025.
The purpose of the next hearing will be to give directions for the determination of the dispute.
As the Union has since acknowledged (see Workers’ MEB win at the Fair Work Commission today!), given that some councils oppose the bargaining application in its current form, it is likely to be many months before this matter is resolved.
Consequently, at the hearing we did two things:
- On behalf of our employees, we supported the Union’s multi-employer bargaining application, noting that most of you had previously voted ‘Yes’ in favour of a multi-bargaining agreement.
- We withdrew from the dispute between the Unions and other Councils but asked to be kept appraised of developments. We wanted to step away from the ‘legal arguments’ as we were concerned that significant delays may arise as the Union and other councils continue to negotiate and dispute key terms.
These decisions were made in the best interests of our employees, especially against the backdrop of rising cost-of-living pressures and the impact this is having on our people.
We cannot be party to some distant battle where the outcome is unknown. Our priority is to deliver improved conditions for our employees with the least delay possible.
While the Union and other councils continue discussions, our aim is to arrange an early uplift in your working conditions to offset the impact of the growth in the cost of living.
We will speak with the Union shortly to ensure any increase we give will be accepted by them, either as an offset against future wage increases agreed under the multi-enterprise agreement, or, if their application is unsuccessful, as part of a single enterprise agreement with you.
We will do everything in our power to offset the financial stress you are all feeling today.
I will keep you informed of our progress in this regard.
Yours sincerely,
Jacqui Weatherill