Workers at the Derwent Valley Council have launched industrial action over a pay dispute that’s dragged on for more than a year, with staff refusing to collect rates or issue fines.
The Australian Services Union is demanding pay rises of 4.5% or CPI, whichever is greater, backdated to last year.
The union says negotiations have stalled since May 2024, leaving wage increases as the final unresolved issue.
Staff took their protest to the main street yesterday as the dispute escalated.
ASU branch secretary Tash Wark told the ABC that council workers have not had a pay rise since July 2024.
“The ball is really in council’s court to come up to meet what our members are asking for, which we say are fair pay rises,” she said.
“It is causing some strain. We are in a cost of living crisis and our members are … rightfully exercising their rights to take lawful protected industrial action.”
The action includes bans on collecting fees and rates, processing invoices, street and toilet cleaning, mowing and litter collection.
The union has also flagged three consecutive morning stop-work actions for September 3–5.
Wark criticised the council’s offer, saying it ‘stinks’ because some worker groups would miss out on the full benefits of available funding.
“We say that if they could bring their wage offer up to that 4.5% or CPI, that would be a fair pay rise,” Wark said.
“We’re hopeful that they see the light and come back and show their workers that they are valued.”
Council general manager Ron Sanderson said the action was disappointing.
He said the council has been negotiating its enterprise agreement with employees and the ASU since May 2024 and talks are now in their final stages.
The council is offering a 2.5% increase – above Hobart’s current annual inflation rate of 1.4%, he said.
“Council’s offer of 2.5% is reasonable and responsible, particularly when compared to the current inflation rate,” Sanderson said.
“Council’s approach to wage negotiations reflects its broader fiscal responsibilities to the community.”
He rejected claims the council had refused to engage with the union.
“We have maintained ongoing good faith bargaining on all ASU claims, always considering how we can best serve both our community and our employees while remaining mindful of council’s financial position,” he said.
