RECENT industrial action over the issue of weekend penalty rates taken at some resorts including Mt Buller during the Victorian school holidays was disappointing according to Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV) that has been in ongoing talks with the Australian workers’ Union (AWU).

“We have been disappointed that a very small number of our overall workforce have initiated protected industrial action over the past two weekends at some resorts, but all resorts have remained fully open and fully operational, and the action has not impacted holiday makers,” said a spokesperson for the ARV.

“Alpine Resorts Victoria has been in ongoing discussions with the Australian Workers’ Union regarding creating a single enterprise agreement since late last year.

“We are generally lifting the conditions of all workers to the highest provisions from the four enterprise agreements that were in place before the creation of ARV,” the spokesperson said.

The ARV remained confident of achieving an outcome that delivers increased benefits for all staff as well as delivering a sustainable future for the resorts.

“Ski lifts, restaurants, accommodation, and retail outlets offered in the major resorts are run by commercial operators independently from ARV and have not been affected by action,” said the spokesperson.

The ARV said workforce gaps have been efficiently managed using other staff members, to avoid any impact on visitors or operations.

Comment not received from AWU at the time of going to press.