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Posted: 2023-06-09 00:43:35

Unionised workers at Ballarat's most popular tourist attraction will not go on strike this King's Birthday long weekend, despite earlier threats.

Sovereign Hill workers have agreed to delay any protected industrial action until next week, amid concerns of operational impacts on one of the busiest weekends of the year for the outdoor historical museum.

Earlier this week workers had threatened to strike or take other forms of protected industrial action, such as refusing to wear costumes or be photographed by visitors, but have delayed any moves until next week.

They say they will hold off any action until a staff vote on Sovereign Hill management's enterprise bargaining agreement offer is completed. 

Lengthy dispute

The union and management remain at a stalemate after 11 months of negotiations, with union officials pushing for a higher pay rise of 7 per cent, the return of weekend penalty rates for its workers and a cap on the use of voluntary work. 

The offer on the table from Sovereign Hill management is a 5 per cent pay rise in the first year and a 3.5 per cent increase per year for the next two years.

Sovereign Hill's Winter Wonderlights event begins at the end of June. ()

Staff would also receive a one-off payment of $1,500 in an effort to relieve cost-of-living pressures.

Sovereign Hill says it is also offering new opportunities for training, flexibility and career progression.

Chief executive Sara Quon previously said in a statement it would be financially irresponsible to deliver union demands as it would threaten the not-for-profit organisation's ongoing viability. 

Jean Maloney, from the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance which represents Sovereign Hill workers, told the ABC earlier this week union members wanted to continue bargaining but management had stopped negotiating. 

"We are asking for these workers to be adequately compensated for the work they do," she said. 

"They are really skilled workers, they teach our children and tourists about Australian history."

The ABC understands the enterprise bargaining agreement vote will be completed by June 14.

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