WORDING displayed on Frankston Council vehicles has inadvertently drawn council staff into the same-sex marriage debate.
Council contractors daubed the words “Vote No” this week on vehicles as part of an ongoing campaign to demand a better deal than a 1.4 per cent pay rise being offered to workers as part of protracted enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) negotiations.
Several people complained to council about “Vote No” message, mistakenly believing the slogan referred to the same-sex marriage plebiscite that Australians are being asked to vote on in November.
Australian Services Union branch executive president Michelle Jackson said union members have been asked to change or remove the slogans after being alerted to the misunderstanding about the meaning of the “Vote No” message seen on council vehicles.
“It’s definitely not in relation to the same-sex marriage plebiscite,” Ms Jackson said.
“In fact, the ASU supports equality for all workers in all aspects of their life so we’re actually supporters of the ‘yes’ campaign.”
Frankston Council issued a statement on Wednesday morning after receiving complaints about the “Vote No” slogans.
“Council is aware that some council vehicles have the words ‘Vote No’ branded on them,” the statement said.
“This message refers to the current enterprise bargaining agreement negotiations and in no way refers to the vote on marriage equality.
“While council does not support this display of signage on the vehicles, it is permitted under protected industrial action.
“We apologise for any confusion this may cause.”
A majority of council staff rejected a proposed EBA this month for the second time. The ASU says a 1.4 per cent, less than the rate of inflation, is effectively “a pay cut” for council employees.
The union has highlighted council CEO Dennis Hovenden’s near 10 per cent pay rise in 2015 as part of its campaign to have council management reconsider pay and conditions clauses being discussed under the terms of a new EBA.
Union members have taken industrial action in recent months – including a refusal to process fines on specific days – as the pay dispute drags on.
Australians not on the electoral roll must register with the Australian Electoral Commission before 24 August to vote in the same-sex marriage postal plebiscite.
