Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill unionised workers threaten to strike for improved pay and working conditions

Unionised workers at Ballarat heritage attraction Sovereign Hill are threatening to strike if their demands on pay and working conditions are not met, according to the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) - the union representing the workers.  

Workers at Sovereign Hill - one of Victoria's most popular tourist attractions - are asking for a pay rise that keeps pace with unprecedented cost of living pressures.

The MEAA has suggested that industrial action may affect Sovereign Hill's operations during the inaugural King's Birthday long weekend, however a final decision on what action will be taken is expected to be made later in the week.

Union members at Sovereign Hill have overwhelmingly voted in favour of a range of industrial actions to break a deadlock in negotiations for a new enterprise agreement.

A Protected Action Ballot which closed on Tuesday had a turnout of 83.3% of all eligible voters, with all 11 proposed industrial actions supported by at least three-quarters of those who voted.

More than 82% voted in favour of a strike of up to 24 hours.

Sovereign Hill is offering a 5% pay rise in the first year and a 3.5% increase in years two and three, with a one-off payment of $1,500 to provide relief from cost-of-living pressures.

It says it is also offering new opportunities for training, flexibility and career progression.

The MEAA is pushing for a higher pay rise in line with inflation, which is 6.8%, the reinstatement of weekend penalty rates and a cap on the use of voluntary labour. 

Workers at Sovereign Hill were angry that management had said it would negotiate no further and has refused to meet with union representatives.

Sovereign Hill workers will be urged to say no to an offer from management that is expected to be put to a vote tomorrow.

Nikau Irvine, MEAA Acting Director of the Entertainment, Crew and Sport said the results of the Protected Action Ballot were an emphatic rejection of management’s offer.

Irvine shared “our members could not have sent a clearer message to Sovereign Hill management that it needs to improve its offer to provide a pay rise, not a pay cut, this year.

“The offer fails to address any of the real concerns of employees and we know that a better deal can be reached.

“The current offer from management of 5% this year is inadequate and does not keep pace with the high cost of living.

“Rather than pushing ahead with a vote beginning tomorrow, we call on Sovereign Hill management to withdraw the offer and sit down with union members to reach an agreement.

“The wage offer on hand will mean a real wage cut after inflation; refusal to reinstate penalty rates will continue to punish those who work on weekends; and the refusal to discuss volunteer engagement opens up the risk for management to make good on their threats to replace employees with volunteers.

“Our members are proud to work at one of Victoria’s top tourist attractions, and all they are asking for is a pay rise that keeps pace with unprecedented cost of living pressures.

“It is now in the hands of management to avert the potential of industrial action by revising its offer to provide a pay rise in line with inflation, restore penalty rates and agree to a cap on the use of voluntary labour and a commitment not to use volunteers to perform the work of paid employees.”

MEAA union members at Sovereign Hill will meet on Wednesday and Thursday to consider their next steps.

Sara Quon, Chief Executive of The Sovereign Hill Museums Association has advised that the attraction delivers an estimated $260 million of economic output to Victoria annually and $183 million to Ballarat.

A statement released on Wednesday sees Quon note that the not-for-profit business could not afford to pay demands from the MEAA, because it would threaten the organisation's ongoing viability.

In a previous statement released last week, Quon said the final request from the union bargaining group would amount to a nearly 30% cost increase in year one, which would be "financially irresponsible to deliver".

Quon added "our entire workforce that is covered by enterprise bargaining is voting over the next week on our fair and generous pay and conditions offer.

"We remain hopeful we will receive their support."

Not all Sovereign Hill workers are members of the union. Sovereign Hill's workforce fluctuates between 250 and 350 staff depending on events or seasonal demands. About 200 volunteers also support the organisation.