News / Council
Council industrial action widens to include libraries
Bans now in place on issuing parking fines and street sweeping
Mark Phillips
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
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A PAY dispute at Merri-bek Council will escalate this week with library staff joining industrial action that is impacting on a wide range of services.
Bans are now in place on activities as varied as issuing parking fines and other infringement notices, conducting building inspections, mowing lawns on sports grounds and public parks, street cleaning and removing litter and graffiti.
Members of the Australian Services Union have also extended their bans on the collection of household rubbish to dozens of streets in the northern parts of Merri-bek.
Rubbish services south of Bell Street are unaffected by industrial action because they are delivered by a contractor, Cleanaway.
On Thursday, workers in the council’s libraries will join the action by refusing to restock shelves, process book returns, collect fees for services such as photocopying, and other usual duties.
The industrial action is part of a pay campaign across eight Melbourne councils which started in earnest on April 7 when waste collection workers went on strike for 24 hours.
Union members are seeking a pay rise of 22% over four years, beginning with a 10% “recovery” increase this year.
ASU members are using new federal workplace laws to unite for the first time in pursuit of a multi-enterprise agreement that would cover the councils of Merri-bek, Melbourne, Yarra, Darebin, Hume, Greater Dandenong, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong.
The union says it is the largest pay dispute in Victorian local government history involving an estimated 7000 workers.
The action has already led to delays in household rubbish collection in northern parts of Merri-bek.
The union says wages for council workers have declined by between seven and 12% in real terms since 2021.
In addition to the pay rise, ASU members are seeking to protect their existing conditions and enshrine a small number of common conditions including dispute resolution, discipline, workplace health and safety, replacement of vacancies, paid parental leave, and paid gender affirmation and reproductive health leave.
Two bargaining meetings have been held between representatives from the councils and the union with little progress, according to the union. The next meeting is scheduled for April 21.
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“We have now met with representatives from the eight councils twice, and while we are meeting again next week, we remain a long way from a deal,” ASU branch secretary Tash Wark said.
“We are still waiting for an offer that addresses the dramatic real wage cuts our members have endured since 2021.
“We are calling on councils to meet our demands immediately so that these essential workers can finally receive a raise during this cost of living crisis.
“The average council worker earns just $70,000 and cannot afford to keep going backwards while their employers stall. Councils can end this industrial action today by resolving the dispute and meeting our claim for a 10 per cent catch-up increase.”
Merri-bek’s acting chief executive officer, Sue Vujcevic, said councils were continuing to bargain in good faith.
“The Australian Services Union’s industrial action is being undertaken very early in the bargaining process,” she said.
“While we acknowledge the legal right of the ASU to take protected industrial action, any adverse effects on our community is regrettable … We ask those affected in our community for their patience and we will continue to negotiate in good faith with all unions representing our staff.”
Disclaimer: the author is a member of the ASU
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