A Tasmanian council has scrapped its “groundbreaking” proposal to introduce a four‑day working week for staff after strong pushback from ratepayers and key stakeholders.
Launceston City Council and the Australian Services Union (ASU) had reached an in‑principle agreement last month that would have allowed employees to work a 30.4‑hour week over four days without any reduction in salary. If approved, it would have been the first government organisation in Australia to adopt a four‑day week with full five‑day pay.
The proposal was due to go to a staff vote this month as part of a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA). However, following criticism from groups including the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) who warned of higher costs, reduced service quality and added pressure on employers the council has withdrawn the plan.
Council cites polarisation and hostility
In a statement, council chief executive Sam Johnson said the organisation still believed in the model, but the public debate had become “increasingly polarised” and had led to “unacceptable hostility towards staff.”
“Our 600 employees are not separate from this community. They are residents and ratepayers themselves,” he said.
“Employment conditions should be determined through proper industrial processes not through social media commentary before staff have had the opportunity to vote.”
Johnson added that the council still supports the evidence behind the four‑day week concept:
“We believe in what it represents for productivity, wellbeing and the future of public service. And we believe that, done properly, it is achievable here.”
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