Workers at Merri-bek take one more step towards fair pay

11 June 2026

Last night, workers, community members and supporters stood side by side to protest Councils financial budget which allocates insufficient funds to workers to secure a real wage increase.

Why did we rally?
On multiple occasions in the past 12 months, union representatives have been blocked or restricted from asking questions, making statements at Council meetings, despite complying with procedural requirements. These actions undermine transparency, limit the ability of employees to have their views represented, and create the perception that legitimate workplace concerns are being deliberately excluded from public discussion.

Most recently, the ASU made a budget submission which we have been told has been rejected and will not be considered by Council. This was submitted as part of the Council process but was rejected on the basis that it relates ‘to the multi-employer bargaining process due to the confidential nature of ongoing negotiations.’

This is despite other Councils including Yarra City, City of Melbourne and Maribyrnong and Dandenong who recently accepted the ASU’s submission for consideration at their Council Budget meetings. The ASU have subsequently provided a copy of the budget submission directly to Councillors. You can read it here.

The ASU’s submission is about the allocation provided to employee entitlements in the draft budget, a public document and not confidential – so it is alarming to see Council management restricting the submissions provided to Councillors. The ASU submitted questions at last night’s Council meeting about why Council continue to reject questions from ASU representatives and why our budget submission was rejected, ironically, those questions were also rejected.

Yesterday before the Council meeting the ASU was informed by Council that our budget submission was rejected due to an "administrative error”.

What are we seeking?
We are seeking that Councillors amend the budget to provide for sufficient employee wages to ensure local government workers wages keep pace with cost of living. We are also seeking that Councillors pass the proposed ASU industrial strategy that has been provided to Councillors to inform management’s conduct in industrial relations which would stop Council officers docking workers’ wages.

Next week, we will be rallying at Trades Hall Wednesday 17 June at 10:30am with workers across 8 councils taking strike action for a second time in the fight for better wages. RSVP here if you haven’t already.

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

For more information please contact: Your ASU delegates, organiser, or
ASU Member Engagement Team | 1300 855 570 | [email protected]