Get the appWorkers at eight Victorian councils have rejected a pay offer, continuing protected industrial action that has disrupted services. The councils, including Hume and Merri-bek, are in multi-employer bargaining with unions. The rejected offer included wage increases tied to the rate cap and a $1200 transition payment. The Australian Services Union reported a 98 per cent rejection rate among its members, leading to strike action and service disruptions.
Public servant unions have vowed to vote down a federal government pay offer of nine per cent over three years. The offer, proposed on Tuesday, is above forecast inflation. Unions say it falls short of their demands, with the Community and Public Sector Union seeking 15 per cent. The Australian Services Union says it will ask the Fair Work Commission to set the pay rise if a better offer is not made, though it has ruled out industrial action. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher says the offer is fair and affordable, and agencies will fund it from existing budgets.