Melton - Fair Work dispute update

03 June 2026

On behalf of Melton’s delegates the ASU recently filed a dispute at the Fair Work Commission regarding Melton City Council’s outrageous and unfair conduct towards union delegates which we allege is unlawful.

The dispute
The treatment your delegates have been enduring from management undermines the rights provided by the Melton City Council agreement and section 350c of the Fair Work Act. Management have unfairly pressured delegates to stop handing out flyers, threatened disciplinary action, rejected requests for reasonable adjustments so a disabled delegate can hang posters in spaces accessible to him, directed ASU officials to leave a public footpath, severely restricted email and SPOT communication and even tried forcing delegates to replace their factual communications with Council’s preferred spin.

The Fair Work Conference
The Fair Work Commissioner held a conference between the ASU and Council to hear our dispute about the unfair restriction of delegate communication. The general indication was that delegates do in fact have the right to conduct union business during work time and the right communicate with employees. This was the first conference to hear the matter, not a determination.

Next Steps
The Commissioner has put forward her views. Now it’s up to Council and the ASU office to reach agreement on those communication protocols and their implementation. If we can’t reach agreement, we reserve the right to refer the matter back to the Fair Work Commission for further assistance and possibly to arbitration, where a determination will be made.

It pays to be union! We are stronger when we are united. Forward this to a co-worker and ask them to join the ASU at https://www.asuvictas.com.au/VICTAS/Join  

For further information please contact:
ASU Organiser Hayley Davies | 0428 161 681 | [email protected]