Parking enforcement will be suspended in central Melbourne during a major AFL match as council workers escalate industrial action.
The Australian Services Union confirmed targeted bans on parking meter inspections and enforcement will be in place across the City of Melbourne on Thursday 16 April, coinciding with the Carlton v Collingwood AFL match.
The industrial action forms part of an ongoing dispute involving workers across eight metropolitan councils: Melbourne, Greater Dandenong, Darebin, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Maribyrnong, Merri-bek and Yarra.
The union said the action relates to ongoing negotiations over wages, with workers reporting real wage declines in recent years.
ASU Victoria and Tasmania Secretary, Tash Wark, said the decision to implement work bans had not been taken lightly.
“Our members take immense pride in serving their local communities, and the decision to strike or implement work bans is a hard one,” Wark said.
“They do not want to inconvenience residents, that’s why they’re undertaking this work ban that will mean footy fans can enjoy free parking during the game.”
Wark said the union had been engaged in negotiations with participating councils, but a resolution had not yet been reached.
“We have now met with representatives from the eight councils twice… we remain a long way from a deal,” she said.
The ASU said discussions are set to continue, with further negotiations scheduled.
