Launceston City Council staff to vote on four-day, full-pay work week


Fri 23 Jan
ABC News

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry says if service slows down, investment in Launceston is at risk.

In short:
Launceston City Council and the Australian Services Union have reached in-principle agreement on a deal that would allow staff to work four days a week, and earn full-time salaries.

The council says it doesn't want to miss the opportunity to attract and retain staff, but local industry has expressed serious concerns.

What's next?
Staff will vote on the enterprise agreement next month before it is submitted to the Fair Work Commission for approval.


Launceston City Council is on the brink of allowing staff to work four days on full pay if a proposal is voted up next month.

Council management and the Australian Services Union (ASU) have reached in-principle agreement on a deal for employees to work 30.4 hours over four days and be paid their full salaries.

If the council's 600 staff vote up the proposal next month, the conditions will be enshrined in the council's enterprise agreement for the next two years from July 2026.   

Four-day work week reduces burnout and improves morale

A new peer-reviewed study finds a four-day work week improves both physical and mental health, reduces burnout and boosts job satisfaction.

The council's chief executive officer, Sam Johnson, said the proposal was aimed at tackling attraction and retention issues.

"People seeking to aspire to local government careers is in decline and, sadly, it's been in decline for some time,"  he said.
"Which tells me we haven't responded to that group in the workforce."

Mr Johnson said it would be "ignorant" to miss the opportunity, pointing to landmark industrial developments throughout Australian history such as the introduction of the 38-hour work week.

"[The] reality is, at some point, someone has to do it,"  he said.
"We've got to lean into it in a positive way.


Sam Johnson says the proposal is aimed at tackling attraction and retention issues.

"And while we've got such a productive and collaborative relationship with the key stakeholders — the ASU — to me, it would be a very, very missed opportunity to not do it now."

The council is expecting to stagger days off across individual teams, but Mr Johnson said he did not expect an increased reliance on private contractors or overtime expenses in cases where staff needed to be called in.

"We are realists here, we know there will be teething problems,"  he said.
The conditions will not apply to senior executives, while employees already working part-time could be eligible for pay rises if they meet the criteria.

The agreement also includes a 2 per cent pay increase over the two years.


The council's 600 staff will vote on the proposal.

Council accused of 'wedging' local businesses
The local business community has expressed strong concerns, warning about the risk of increased costs, poorer service and pressure on employers.

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey labelled it "a 20 per cent reduction in hours for the same pay".

"Council is a monopoly provider of essential regulatory services — businesses can't shop around for a faster planning department," Mr Bailey said in statement.

Michael Bailey, wearing a suit, standing in front of bushland.
Michael Bailey has labelled it "a 20 per cent reduction in hours for the same pay".

"If service slows down, projects are delayed, costs blow out, and investment is put at risk.

"That is the opposite of what Launceston needs right now."
Mr Bailey also said the move "wedged" local businesses by introducing a new benchmark that most small and medium businesses would not be able to afford.

ASU branch secretary for Tasmania, Tash Wark, said the claim had majority support from union members.   

"We know sometimes there are issues for employers in that area of trying to attract staff and retain staff, so a condition like this is highly appealing to people who want that work-life balance," she said.

Community open to flexibility if implemented well
Josie Murray from Tamar Valley said she was supportive of the proposal and employers embracing flexible work more broadly.

"If they can still hit the same KPIs and provide the same service that they would now, then I don't think there's any reason why they can't work four days and have the same pay," she said.


Josie Murray is in favour of the proposal.

"I think it's a great idea for flexibility for especially mums.

"There's a more female workforce than there has been ever before, so to provide that flexibility I think is a good idea."

Tourists Ian and Virginia Calcott said while it was a good option for employees, it could be difficult for the council to implement.


Ian and Virginia Calcott say the four-day working week will be difficult to implement.

Of course there will be some people that say, shock horror the sky is going to fall in.