Brimbank council has warned its employees that it would not go back to the negotiating table if they vote down the draft Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA).
In an email sent out to council staff on Monday, council management warned employees that they would lose backpay dating back to July 1 if the draft EBA was not approved by the majority.
“We will not restart negotiations, because this is the best offer we can give and we want to move on,” the email reads.
“A no vote will only mean a new vote will happen in the future on the identical [EBA]. Voting not will not change the [EBA].”
The council put the draft EBA to an employees’ vote on Monday. The vote will close on October 31.
Council staff and the Australian Services Union are concerned about job security and the contracting out of vital council services, including rubbish collection.
Employees are also concerned about a clause in the draft EBA that refers to the introduction of GPS devices on council vehicles, plant and equipment, and the introduction of surveillance technology.
Senior ASU delegate Kim Henley urged council employees to vote no to the proposed EBA.
Staff have gone on strike twice in the past month, and the EBA issue has been unresolved for the past nine months.
Corporate and community relations director Helen Morrissey said the council had been in negotiations for more than nine months “and is very disappointed that it has not been able to reach a conclusion with the unions”.
“The Fair Work Act specifically says that no party has to make any concessions in bargaining. Once a party has reached its final offer, it can stay on that.
“This is a good offer and a ‘no vote’ will not change it.”
