Flemington track staff set to strike days out from Melbourne Cup

Victoria Racing Club groundskeepers and track staff will stage a 24-hour strike just days out from the start of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and less than a week before the race that stops the nation.

Australian Workers Union workers will stop work for 24 hours on Wednesday as part of a protected industrial action, which was approved by the Fair Work Commission in September.

The action will only involve track staff and groundskeepers who are AWU members, with the VRC stating it won’t impact its ability to stage its marquee four-day carnival which begins on Saturday.   

“Wednesday’s 24-hour stoppage will not impact Flemington operations, and we are thrilled to welcome record crowds for four great days of world class racing, fashion, food and entertainment,” a VRC spokesperson said.        

The dispute is centred on a pay claim which sees the AWU seeking a four per cent rise, as opposed to that offered by the VRC.

 “We have made a very favourable offer which provides increased terms and favourable conditions, including an annual increase of 3 per cent over the next three years to employees who are currently paid more than 40 per cent above the Award on average,’ the VRC said.

The VRC will meet with AWUs representatives on Wednesday in a bid to resolve the action ahead of the four-day Flemington carnival.

The AWU was approached for comment by The Straight last week about the pending action, but has yet to reply.

It comes as action by Transport Workers Union members threatens to impact the supply of cash to ATMs and on-track bookies during the four-day Flemington carnival.

The action was launched on October 17 after a protracted impasse over those who work cash-in-transit services Armaguard and Prosegur. They are currently partaking in overtime and weekend bans, and that could also involve 24-hour stoppages

“Strike action is always a last resort, but over 500 workers have made it clear they need all industry participants to step up for a fair deal. They’ve done the heavy lifting in this industry and their pay has languished while the banks make billions,” TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said.

“There is now a pathway forwards for the industry through the Albanese Government’s transport reform laws – but these workers who play such a vital role in keeping cash going will be forced to take strike action without long-overdue pay rises and backpay.”