General News
3 October, 2025
Council defies union action
Central Goldfields Shire Council has told staff not to speak to the media about an ongoing pay dispute despite work bans issued by the Fairwork Commission stating the opposite.
Central Goldfields Shire Council (CGSC) is allegedly “gagging” staff who want to speak to the media despite its inclusion in the ongoing industrial action’s work bans.
The Australian Services Union (ASU) has contacted CGSC over an email sent to staff instructing them not to speak with the media on the ongoing campaign for a pay rise.
The email, seen by the Maryborough District Advertiser, reminded staff they shouldn’t “engage with the media regarding the enterprise agreement campaign or any other matter in their capacity as a council employee”.
The directive follows low-level industrial action beginning last week, raising awareness of the dispute between council and its staff.
Over a year ago, ASU proposed a new, multi-employer agreement covering the Central Goldfields and Ararat councils.
The agreement would see staff able to collectively bargain for better conditions, including wages, with the exception of the CEO.
Despite the support of staff and Ararat council’s consent, Central Goldfields Shire Council disputed the agreement at both the Fair Work Commission and Federal Court — losing both.
Ahead of a recent meeting at the bargaining table, the ASU said CGSC was difficult to bargain with, which council denies, leading to the industrial action.
That action includes work bans, formally issued by the Fairwork Commission, including stopping work to speak to the media about the campaign.
The work bans outline what ASU members can do to legally interrupt their work as part of the industrial action.
According to ASU deputy branch secretary Zoe Edwards, council did not contest the bans formally and instead believes they’re trying to avoid public scrutiny.
“Clearly, there’s discussion in the community about this issue and gagging workers from speaking about it we think is unfair,” she said.
“We have written to the council raising that we think their directive is inconsistent with our work bans and we will vigorously defend any member who decides to speak with the media.”
A CGSC spokesperson said the email was reminding staff of their obligations under council’s policies and procedures.
“Council has specific policies in relation to speaking to the media and we are just reminding staff of these policies,” they said.
Council’s spokesperson echoed sentiments in the email which said staff’s cooperation was to “protect” themselves and council throughout the process.
“These policies are in place to ensure that we have consistent messaging from council and that confidential, sensitive or commercial information is not inadvertently made public,” the council’s spokesperson said.
When faced with the contradiction between council’s policies and the legally approved work ban, the council’s spokesperson maintained their stance.
“As per our policies, all media enquiries are to made through the communications team,” they said.
Coinciding with the beginning of industrial action, CGSC has made a counteroffer to the ASU, who is asking for a minimum $55 per week or three percent wage increase, of:
A wage offer of $44 per week or three percent, whichever is greater.
An increase to the sick leave entitlement for ECEC educators to 144.4 hours in the first year (from the current entitlement of 91.2 hours).
Agree to the ASU’s savings provision to protect existing conditions.
The ASU plans to take this offer to their members next week as both parties continue to try to reach an agreement.
“We think there’s still a bit of work to do, we certainly haven’t reached an agreement yet, but we’re hopeful we’re not too far off,” Ms Edwards said.