By CASEY NEILL
FUNERALS are not expected to be affected by stop-work action that began at Springvale Botanical Cemetery and Bunurong Memorial Park on Friday.
Australian Workers Union (AWU) Victorian branch secretary Ben Davis said the rolling stoppages and protected industrial action at two sites was in reaction to a dispute about wages and conditions with Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT).
“In our view management are seeking to change far too many of our existing conditions, many of which have been enjoyed for many years. “
The action involves workers walking off the job for various periods of time.
Formal discussions between the parties are scheduled for Wednesday August 21.
SMCT CEO Jonathan Tribe said the action was “regrettable and potentially harmful”.
“We will do everything we can to minimise any disruption to our community,” he said.
Mr Tribe said that in the current proposed enterprise agreement SMCT was offering a 12 per cent increase on top of 13.25 per cent last time.
