A PAY deal for Frankston Council staff has been agreed at the fourth time of asking.
Council employees voted in late December to accept a new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) after council management increased a pay offer of 1.4 per cent to a 2 per cent annual rise in salary.
The vote to accept the latest deal came after two previous pay and conditions proposals were voted down by a majority of Australian Workers’ Union members at Frankston Council (“Pay offer rejected again by workers”, The Times 21/8/17).
A third vote had to be recast due to a legal technicality.
ASU branch executive president Michelle Jackson said the union is pleased workers showed solidarity during lengthy EBA negotiations between the union and council.
“It was a significant improvement on the original offer,” Ms Jackson said.
“We’re really proud of our members who fought for a better deal for everyone.”
The agreement is awaiting final approval from the Fair Work Commission.
Council CEO Dennis Hovenden said more than 97 per cent of staff voted in favour of the agreement last month.
“Final negotiations resolved outstanding matters, with the new agreement featuring a 2 per cent annual pay rise, commitments to review working hours, additional leave for circumstances such as domestic violence, additional three days paid leave between Christmas and New Year and many other increased benefits and allowances,” he said.
“We thank our employees for taking the opportunity to cast their vote on this important matter, and look forward to working together to deliver the vital services our community deserves.”
Negotiations between the ASU and council management saw the union argue the initial 1.4 per cent pay rise offer was effectively a pay cut since the increase would be lower than the annual consumer price index, also known as the cost of living.
The union highlighted Mr Hovenden’s near 10 per cent pay rise in 2015, taking his remuneration to $325,000, while urging staff to vote against the 1.4 per cent pay rise deal last year.
In March last year then mayor Cr Brian Cunial issued a statement saying councillors had offered the CEO pay rises in 2016 and 2017 but they were “declined” each year.
