Thursday, 19 October 2023

Whittlesea City Council

Lily D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (09:42): I rise to speak about workers at Whittlesea council taking protected industrial action. Represented by the Australian Services Union, workers are seeking a modest wage increase that keeps up with the cost of living and the introduction of a 35-hour week for band 3 workers, who build and maintain local roads, care for the elderly and provide local services. The current offer from the Whittlesea council would see these low-paid workers’ wages go backwards in real terms over the next three years.

The council refuses to continue to bargain and is putting this agreement to a vote without union agreement next week. Council has also engaged in anti-union activity, engaging contractors to perform work where ASU members have taken industrial action and threatening to reduce conditions if workers vote no in the upcoming vote. Workers are asking the Whittlesea council to return to the bargaining table, and the union and I are by their side in wanting workers to be paid a living wage.