Wages Dispute at Hobart Council

Media release – Australian Services Union, 20 September 2024

ASU condemns City of Hobart’s attack on its workers

The City of Hobart’s move to lock out workers from their place of employment is a deliberate attack on the principles of freedom of association, says the Australian Services Union.

Australian Services Union members at the City of Hobart voted this week to commence protected industrial action in response to the council’s attempt to push through a substandard enterprise agreement which would leave workers worse off.

Union members followed the letter and spirit of the country’s industrial relations laws, going to the Fair Work Commission and obtaining a properly-constituted order for a series of protected actions they could lawfully undertake in their fight to win fair conditions.

The City of Hobart has reacted by attacking its own employees, threatening to lock them out of their workplace for participating in the constitutional and legal process of industrial democracy.

This thuggish response is rightly condemned by the ASU and its members. Taking last-minute action to subvert the rights of workers is the brand of the bully employer. Workers have the right to act collectively in their own economic and social interests, and the right to participate in making decisions to advance their interests in bargaining for a better workplace.

‘This last-gasp, rushed attempt to intimidate our members and the workers at the City of Hobart is no more than an obvious and third-rate plan to crush worker action for a fairer deal on pay and key conditions,’ ASU secretary Tash Wark said.

‘Council’s well-paid bosses, caught trying to slap a sub-standard agreement in the face of employees, have taken the well-worn path of mediocre management and attacked workers for choosing to freely associate and bargain collectively. These lock-outs will be condemned as an assault on workers and their families.’

The ASU will stand by its members and the workers at City of Hobart and fight any effort by council managers to lock them out of their jobs.

Statement – City of Hobart CEO Michael Stretton, 20 September 2024

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“All City of Hobart employees are welcome to attend work to undertake their duties, there is no ‘lock out.”

“The City acknowledges the right of employees to take protected industrial action under the Fair Work Act.

“For the community, all City services will continue as usual, with no disruptions expected.

“The City’s comprehensive offer is still available, including a 3 per cent wage increase backdated to July 2024, which exceeds Hobart’s current CPI of 2.75%.

“Further wage increases are planned over the next three years.

“We’ve also proposed higher superannuation contributions and significant pay rises for juniors, trainees, and apprentices.

“The City remains committed to supporting our staff while maintaining financial sustainability. This comes on top of the previous agreement, where employees saw a total wage increase of 12.7% over the past two financial years.”