Work continues on Enterprise Agreement proposal

Published on 18 February 2026

The City of Launceston has refined its proposed Enterprise Agreement following extensive feedback from ratepayers, stakeholders and the broader community.

CEO Sam Johnson said the decision to step back from the previously proposed 30.4-hour 100-80- 100 model prioritised community trust and the protection of the Council's 600-strong workforce.

“We have listened to our ratepayers and stakeholders,” Mr Johnson said.

"Our responsibility is to balance innovation and financial stewardship with community confidence.” Mr Johnson said the public debate surrounding the original proposal had become increasingly polarised and directed 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.”

The Council will now proceed with a revised enterprise agreement that includes:

• Flexible 38-hour arrangements, including compressed four-day weeks and nine-day fortnights

• A 5% wage increase in 2026

• A 4% increase or CPI (whichever is higher) in 2027

• A two-year agreement term

• Retention of existing entitlements and superannuation arrangements

The revised agreement will be put to impacted staff for a formal vote in the coming weeks.

Mr Johnson said the Council remained committed to modern workforce reform. "Let me be absolutely clear - we believe in this model," he said.

"We believe in the evidence behind it. 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.

"But reform of this scale must be introduced in a way that endures. It must be supported and understood by the community we serve.

"If we implement it before the conditions are right, we risk setting it back years - that is not a risk I am prepared to take."

The Council plans to establish a Working Group comprising City of Launceston representatives, the ASU and key stakeholders which over the next two years will:

• Complete rigorous economic modelling

• Undertake detailed service impact analysis

• Strengthen corporate systems and workforce planning

• Engage constructively with local business and community leaders

• Build the evidence base required to demonstrate readiness

"When we return to the bargaining table in approximately 18 months, I want us to do so with community understanding, business support, strong economic data and a model that answers the legitimate questions that have been raised," Mr Johnson said.

The updated proposal will be provided to impacted staff and go to the vote in the coming weeks.

During this period the City of Launceston will not engage in further public debate regarding the employment conditions of its valued employees and respectfully asks community members and elected representatives to do the same.