The City of Ballarat has been in negotiations over the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement for our staff for some time.  Negotiations with the Australian Nursing Federation and Australian Services Union have been positive but an agreement has not been reached.

The City of Ballarat is concerned with the impact of job losses locally and high unemployment in the region and has offered staff a wage increase of 3.6% or a minimum of $32 per week. This offer, while more than Council's budget, can be delivered without cuts to services or increases to rates and is a reasonable offer to our employees.

The Unions are seeking wage increase of 4% or a minimum of $50 per week and additional payments for staff who reach the top of their classification which will cost Council and the rate payers an additional $2 million over the life of the agreement.

The Unions have been awarded the right to undertake Protected Industrial Action by Fair Work Australia and the Australian Services Union and Australian Nursing Federation members will commence Action on Wednesday 13 April 2011.

 his Action will mean that some high profile lawns and gardens will not be maintained, some public bins in high profile areas will not be emptied and some street sweeping will not be done. Parking fines in some locations will not be handed out. It will also mean that Home and Community Care (HACC) Clients will not have their carpets vacuumed and there will be a range of internal focused measures.

Private residential rubbish bins will still be collected.

Parents and Carers of infants and small children are advised that during the Protected Industrial Action, the Maternal Child Health Nurses employed by the City of Ballarat will not be undertaking checks for children older than 1 year and they will not immunise any infants or children.  Parents and Carers are advised to visit their Doctor for immunisations or if they have any specific concerns about their child during this time. 

The Maternal and Child Health Line also provides access to information, support and guidance on child health, nutrition, breast feeding, maternal and family health and parenting. The service is available to families with children from birth to school age and is staffed by qualified maternal and child health nurses. For information and advice call 13 22 29.

The City of Ballarat is committed to finding a reasonable level of wage rise that does not cause additional hardship to all. Thank you for your understanding during these negotiations.

For further information a  question and answer document is available by clicking here.