Strike action at Ballarat's Sovereign Hill attraction on hold until after long weekend

Despite threats earlier in the week, unionised workers at Ballarat's Sovereign Hill attraction - one of Victoria’s most popular tourist destinations - will not go on strike this King's Birthday long weekend.

With concerns of operational impacts on one of the busiest weekends of the year for the outdoor heritage attraction, Sovereign Hill workers have agreed to delay any protected industrial action until next week.

Earlier this week workers had threatened to strike or take other forms of protected industrial action, such as refusing to wear costumes or be photographed by visitors.

They say they will hold off any action until a staff vote on Sovereign Hill management's enterprise bargaining agreement offer is completed.

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.

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

The union representing the workers - The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) - and Sovereign Hill management remain at a stalemate after 11 months of negotiations with the MEAA 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. 

Sara Quon, Chief Executive of The Sovereign Hill Museums Association previously said in a statement it would be financially irresponsible to deliver union demands as it would threaten the not-for-profit organisation's ongoing viability.  

It is understood that the enterprise bargaining agreement vote will be completed by 14th June.

Image. Credit: Sovereign Hill