Yarra Ranges Shire Council: EBA update

What’s happened? 

Your ASU representatives met with management on Weds July 17 to negotiate your wages and conditions. Management have said a flat no to anything beyond a 2.75% increase in 2024 and offered a blank space for 2025 and 2026.

We did wonder aloud about the governance, staffing and planning implications of not costing the wages for two out of three years, or providing people with any certainty on their wages going forward and raised the real and present impacts of the crippling cost of living crises in response.

Your negotiators explained it was not an acceptable offer, and we will not be recommending an EBA to members with council’s substandard offer in it.

Management have also refused to negotiate on other substantial conditions. We are a long way from having discussed all our claims - including leave and hours of work claims. 

Nevertheless, they would like to put their current offer out for a vote before the nominal expiry date of your current agreement.

This is so we can’t take any industrial action to support our claims, and management can control the terms and conditions of your employment more effectively.

If they do, 50% of those that vote must vote yes for the new EBA to come into effect; so if only 30 people vote and 15 and vote ‘yes’ that’s it, the substandard EBA will pass. 

What’s next 

We’re holding an online ASU meeting over two time periods and non-members are welcome to attend. At this meeting we will go through the current claims in detail and seek member feedback so we can negotiate with strength in support of a fair deal for everyone. 

Date: Thursday 25 July 2024 
Time: 6pm to 7:30pm 
Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82919154552?pwd=ytlLGIlh8pMa9Bf4JFc04IiNGqIb5E.1 

Date: Monday 29 July 2024 
Time: 12:30pm to 1:30pm 
Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88941980299?pwd=fYmYJ5aVBzaE2XafX6S2Rba2Nys16L.1 

The ASU is by your side. Talk to a co-worker about the importance of union membership and ask them to join the ASU at https://www.asuvictas.com.au/VICTAS/Join 

For further information or to become a delegate please contact: 
ASU organiser Chloe Gaul | 0477666323 | [email protected]