Council & Business
23 September, 2025
Industrial action last resort in ongoing council wage push, union says
Central Goldfields Shire employees will begin industrial action tomorrow in their continued push for a “very modest” pay rise.
The shire’s Australian Services Union (ASU) members voted in favour of low-level industrial action this month to raise community awareness.
Local residents may see council staff distributing flyers, writing on council vehicles, speaking to the media, and talking to parents at Goldfields Family Centre and the Maryborough Library.
However, the actions may escalate including potential stop works and other disruptive industrial action affecting residents.
ASU deputy branch secretary Zoe Edwards said this was dependent on council’s willingness to make a “reasonable offer” after nine months of bargaining.
“In a matter of weeks we’ll be escalating the industrial action if the council don’t come to the table,” she said.
The ASU is calling for a minimum payment of $55 per week or three percent wage increase.
The previous enterprise agreement, Ms Edwards said, saw wages increase by 1.5 percent.
“The last enterprise agreement had such appallingly low wage rates they’ve gone backwards in real terms when you think about the cost of living increases over that period,” she said.
“The workers ... are asking for a very modest increase just to pay their bills.”
The union said council claims the pay rise will cost them an additional $100,000 a year.
However, considering council budgeted over $13 million for wages and salaries in 2025/26, Ms Edwards said the increase seemed insignificant.
“That is small change in the council’s budget that will make a real difference to the low paid workers who work at council,” Ms Edwards said.
The ongoing bargaining continues over a year after the ASU proposed a new, multi-employer agreement covering the Central Goldfields and Ararat councils.
The agreement, backed by a majority of staff, would see them able to collectively bargain for better conditions, including wages, with the exception of the CEO.
Despite the support of staff, and Ararat council’s consent, Central Goldfields Shire Council disputed the agreement at both the Fair Work Commission and Federal Court — losing both.
Now, Ms Edwards said, they’ve had to take protected industrial action because council have been so difficult to bargain with.
“The council have been incredibly aggressive towards its workers,” she said.
“We think it’s really disappointing that the council has chosen to pay its lawyers rather than pay its workers a fair wage increase.”
Central Goldfields Shire CEO Peter Harriott viewed the negotiations differently.
“We have been negotiating in good faith for nine months and made a fair offer for all staff that’s in line with CPI and the rate cap,” he said.
“This agreement has been complicated because it’s a joint agreement with Ararat, different staff groups and various unions, which is new for us and the local government sector.”
However, because negotiations are now with the Fair Work Commission, he would not comment further “until the matter is resolved”.
The ASU and Central Goldfields will return to the Fair Work Commission this Wednesday, September 24, for a hearing to address the outstanding issues — primarily wages.
ASU encouraged locals to contact the shire’s councillors to make their voice heard.
“Community pressure matters. It’s the things that council is responsive to,” Ms Edwards said.