United Voice News
Zoo keepers celebrate after in-principal pay deal reached
Zoo keepers, horticulturalists and maintenance staff have reached an in principle agreement to settle their pay dispute, following successful conciliation talks in the Industrial Relations Commission.
The deal means industrial action at Victoria’s three Zoos is likely to be averted.
Zoo union delegates say the deal is a great win for Zoo staff and their campaign against below-CPI pay increases offered by the Zoos Victoria.
The pay deal provides for annual pay increases of above the current inflation rate of 4.2%.
The deal also includes back-pay of $1000 to compensate staff not receiving a pay rise since December 2006.
Zoo staff will also receive increases to allowances, including significant increases to the ‘home treatment of animals’ allowance.
Zoos Victoria withdrew its demand that staff access to the Zoo laundry service be restricted.
The deal follows protests by Zoo workers outside Melbourne Zoo condemning Zoos Victoria’s initial offer as ‘peanuts’.
Annual salaries among these staff average around $41,000, or 30% below the average weekly wage.
Jess Walsh, State Secretary of the LHMU Hospitality and Tourism Union, paid tribute to the courage and unity of Zoo staff.
“Congratulations must go to these Zoo staff. They stuck together and were determined to fight for fair wages and conditions.”
“This deal means that these dedicated highly-skilled workers should now be able to stay in the jobs they love and not be forced to look for better-paid work elsewhere.
“Their focus can now return to the things that matter most to them: the welfare of animals and educating children about the natural world.”
The deal will be put to a vote of staff in the coming weeks.
