General News
19 November, 2024
Agreement still in the works
The Central Goldfields Shire is locked in a legal dispute with the Australian Services Union (ASU) over council’s opposition to a proposed multi-enterprise bargaining agreement.
Earlier this month, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) heard arguments from ASU, council and the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) pertaining to the matter.
In August, The Advertiser reported on the services union’s push to secure a new agreement with the Central Goldfields and Ararat councils — allowing staff from both organisations to collectively bargain for wage increases and improved conditions.
However since only Ararat agreed to proceed with the application, the case was presented to the tribunal.
Over two days, on November 7 and 8, FWC convened a Full Bench to consider the matter.
In a statement seen by The Advertiser, ASU told its members they were “a big step closer to the conclusion of the matter”.
“Central Goldfields’ opposition has resulted in a legal fight that has played out for nearly 5 months and at great expense to both parties,” the correspondence said.
It added that the Maryborough-based council had continued its resistance “to the ASU’s application for an Authorisation from the FWC for bargaining to commence for multi-employer agreement, despite most of their own workers, Ararat and its workers… all wanting the Authorisation to be made”.
According to the statement, a range of concerns were raised by the Central Goldfields Shire’s legal team during the hearing, but ASU believes their representatives “effectively rebutted each issue raised”.
The FWC will now consider the arguments and issue a written decision.
“If the Authorisation is granted, that will allow us to start bargaining for a [multi-enterprise agreement],” ASU’s statement said.
“The ASU is ready to go and is eager to start bargaining with Central Goldfields and Ararat to get a better deal for regional council workers.”
The Central Goldfields Shire Council declined to comment.