Pay offer rejected again by workers Paving the way: Reconstruction works underway in Young Street earlier this year. Picture: Gary Sissons
Traders’ plea for state help Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au TRADERS frustrated over delays to a revamp of Young St in central Frankston have implored the state government to help out financially since the project was initially slated to finish in May. Federal Dunkley Liberal MP Chris Crewther has forwarded a letter to Labor Transport Minister Jacinta Allan signed by several business owners who say they have suffered a downturn in trade since foot traffic past stores has fallen during the Young St works. The letter in part asks that “affected traders be granted just financial compensation and relief from the original completion date in May 2017 to the final end date”. The joint letter — co-signed by trad-
ers, Frankston deputy mayor Steve Toms and councillors Glenn Aitken, Quinn McCormack, Kris Bolam, Sandra Mayer and Lillian O’Connor — demands “a guaranteed locked-in end date for the project be given” to give certainty to traders. VicRoads and the state government have revised the Young St precinct works end date as 27 October but businesses fear more delays could have an impact on Christmas time trading for the second year in succession. The plea for financial support from the state government comes after Frankston Council pledged to give businesses who can prove a 30 per cent drop in turnover over 12 months a oneoff $750 payment. “In speaking to council, I can say that the shop closure rate in Young St is no higher than prior to the roadworks,
but the shop front opening rate is much higher,” Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke said. “The community asked for a rejuvenation of the Young St precinct and that is what I am delivering and for that, I absolutely make no apologies. “We are getting it done in Frankton and for Frankston.” The Young St revamp is part of a $63 million rejuvenation of Frankston train station and its surrounds. The need to move underground electrical cabling in Young St and handle asbestos in Telstra pits with care have been reasons for delays previously given by VicRoads. The roads authority is working with contractor firm Seymour White on the “more welcoming civic space” along Young St to include new paving and improved street lighting.
A MAJORITY of staff at Frankston Council voted down a pay offer last week amid an ongoing stand-off between employees and council management over a new enterprise bargaining agreement. A vote held last Monday (14 August) saw 386 council employees vote against a proposed 1.4 per cent pay rise and 275 vote to accept the pay deal. It is the second time workers have rejected the proposed new EBA. Australian Services Union branch executive president Michelle Jackson praised the solidarity of council staff who “are holding firm and refusing to be short changed” by a pay increase lower than the annual consumer price index rise, also known as the cost of living. “No other metropolitan council is offering 1.4 per cent. Frankston is offering the lowest pay increase in the metropolitan area,” Ms Jackson said. “Most other councils are 2 per or higher.” She noted the pay offer is effectively “a pay cut” since it is below cost of living increases at a time Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe is urging workers to push for pay rises “for the good of the economy”. Union members have taken industrial action in recent months — including a refusal to process fines on specific days — as the pay dispute drags on.
The ASU notes council CEO Dennis Hovenden received a near 10 per cent pay rise in 2015. The mayor Cr Brian Cunial said in March this year that the CEO declined a pay increase offered by councillors as part of a performance review. “The CEO’s total remuneration package will remain at $325,000, resulting in a 3.2 per cent average annual increase since commencing as CEO at Frankston City Council in October 2012,” a media release in March stated. It is understood that councillors are due to talk about the CEO’s performance and pay this month as part of a scheduled review. Mr Hovenden said last week “it is disappointing that the revised agreement has not been accepted by a majority of employees”. “We appreciate and thank employees for taking the opportunity to cast their vote on this matter,” he said. “We are reconsidering all of our options before going back to negotiations with EBA representatives.” Ms Jackson said the ASU has asked council management to meet with the union again and may ask its members to vote “to escalate industrial action” if an agreement on pay and conditions cannot be reached. Neil Walker
Frankston Times 21 August 2017
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