AWU calls for ranger reclassification to match the real work of keeping Victoria’s parks safe

Frontline rangers and operational staff at Parks Victoria are taking protected industrial action, with the Australian Workers’ Union calling for a reclassification and pay uplift that reflects the varied, skilled and often demanding work they perform every day.

Our members are the people on the ground. They build campgrounds and amenities, carry out rescues, and protect and save wildlife. They are the reason Victoria’s parks stay pristine and safe for the millions of people who visit them each year.

The AWU believes these workers are currently underpaid and under-classified for the work they do, and that a reclassification and uplift is needed to properly recognise their skills and responsibilities.

As part of the campaign, members will be taking protected industrial action that includes:

• Displaying campaign material and information in workplaces
• Making statements in support of and explaining the industrial action, including while in uniform
• Making media statements, including while in uniform
• Placing campaign signage at parks and on employer vehicles
• Setting email signatures and auto-reply to messages in support of the action

The union has warned the action could escalate, from withdrawing duties such as cleaning and maintaining parks right through to locking the public out of parks, if Parks Victoria management fails to recognise the value of the work its members perform.

“Rangers and operational staff do complex, varied and at times dangerous work, and it is time their classifications and pay caught up with the reality of the job,” said AWU Victoria Secretary Ronnie Hayden.

“Our members would much rather be getting on with their work, but they are prepared to escalate this action until management commits to the ranger uplift.

This is squarely in the hands of Parks Victoria executives. We do not want to see them ruin the weekend for Victorian families who simply want to enjoy our beautiful parks.”

AWU Organiser Lisa Pearce said the action reflected how strongly members feel about being recognised for the work they do.

“Our members build the campgrounds and amenities that families enjoy, they carry out rescues, and they protect and rescue our wildlife.

They are proud of their work and they do it well,” Ms Pearce said. “They are simply asking to be paid and classified for the skilled work they actually perform, and they are standing together to make that case.”

The union says the current offer on the table, combined with a firm commitment to the ranger uplift, would meet the needs of frontline operational staff. The provisions in the offer are the standard provisions found in all Victorian Government enterprise agreements.

The AWU believes its plan is consistent with the Government’s wages policy, with the savings from improved staff retention helping to offset the cost of the uplift.

“Every time Parks Victoria loses an experienced ranger, it loses years of local knowledge and skill that takes time to rebuild. The cost of that revolving door far outweighs the cost of retaining good people,” Mr Hayden said.

“Our position differs from other unions because we represent the frontline rangers and operational staff who do this work on the ground, not the back-office staff in head office. Our priorities reflect the priorities of our members.”