ASU Launches Federal Court Action Against Hume City Council

22 June 2026

The ASU has filed a case against Hume City Council in the Federal Court to address an alleged unlawful reduction of pay connected to protected industrial action.

Waste workers at Hume contacted the union because their pay had been docked for enacting bans that were not in force at the time; even though bans had been withdrawn, management still docked the pay of workers.

Hume management have refused to acknowledge or correct their error even after the ASU sought to resolve this matter.

The ASU will always fight to uphold the rights of union members and will protect members against unlawful management action.

ASU members at Hume are taking historic and coordinated protected industrial action along with members at Darebin, Greater Dandenong, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Merri-bek and Yarra.

We are fighting to win historic pay rises of over 22% to address the real wage decline for local government workers since the introduction of the Victorian Government’s rate cap.

Workers from the 8 MEB councils walked off the job for a second major strike at rally at Parliament House last Wednesday, and union members have voted overwhelmingly to reinstate partial work bans as an escalation of this campaign.

Whilst the docking of pay may be an option available to employers in response to workers taking protected industrial action, the Fair Work Act contains certain limits and safeguards.

The ASU and our legal team have been carefully scrutinising the actions of employers, and will defend our members against employers that don’t comply with the rules.

Additionally, we have called on all councillors and employers to respect the lawful rights of ASU members to take action and fight for a better deal. The anti-union and anti-worker tactics employed by some councils are simply unacceptable.

For further information please speak with your union delegates, your site organiser, or contact the member contact centre on 1300 855 570.

Only ASU members can take part in protected industrial action. Encourage your co-worker to join the ASU today at https://www.asuvictas.com.au/VICTAS/Join