Hamilton City Council union members are ready to take industrial action after pay negotiations stalled.
An urgent meeting is to be held this afternoon between council management and the Public Services Association in a last ditch attempt to reach an agreement before the union seeks direction from its members about the type of action they want to take.
The council's 155 Public Service Association members yesterday voted to take action because the council rejected its request for negotiations around pay to be included in the collective agreement. Currently, a remuneration review happens outside the collective bargaining and staff have no chance to object.
The union had also sought a 1 per cent minimum increase for all its members.
PSA national secretary Brenda Pilott said it was very disappointing the council had refused a "very modest request". "Our members have overwhelmingly said they find that unacceptable." She was pleased the council had responded to the union's request for an urgent meeting as the first aim was to "get back around the bargaining table and reach a position it could recommend to its members."
