Last Tuesday 29 July, all Greater Dandenong staff received a 2.5% increase to their base salary, which came into effect on Thursday 14 July 2025.
Our CEO offered this in recognition that it could be a long wait for a new enterprise agreement to be finalised, and the relevant unions agreed. While this is a welcome uplift, it still remains an interim increase.
If a higher rate is ultimately agreed, the difference will be back-paid, with the interim payment acknowledged and set-off against the final amount.
In the meantime, the ASU is still attempting to progress what has become a very drawn-out Multi-Employer Bargaining (MEB) application.
Last week, there was another hearing at the Fair Work Commission. The MEB approach is still being opposed by Brimbank, Darebin, Hume, Merri-bek, Port Phillip and Yarra.
Greater Dandenong, City of Melbourne and Maribyrnong have consented, and Hobson’s Bay is still neutral.
The focus of the hearing was whether Council staff should express their preference for a multi-employer or single-enterprise approach via a secret ballot or a petition. The Commission has asked Councils to provide their preference to the Commission in coming days.
Since Greater Dandenong has already consented to the process after holding our own ballot, we are largely observers to this process. From the timeline set out by the Commission, it seems unlikely that the Commission will decide whether (and for which Councils) to approve a MEB approach before November. We will continue to keep you updated.