--- title: Business groups reject Launceston four-day wage deal date: 2026-02-05T00:00:00+11:00 author: Walker Designs canonical_url: "https://tcci.com.au/news/business-groups-reject-launceston-four-day-wage-deal" section: News --- NEWS# Business groups reject Launceston four-day wage deal --- Media Release Date 05 February 2026 Category [Media Releases](https://tcci.com.au/category/media-releases) ![Media Release Tiles 11](https://tcci.com.au/volumes/images/News/2026/_1280x720_fit_center-center_70_none/11116/Media-Release-Tiles-11.webp) 1. [ Home ](https://tcci.com.au/) 2. [ News ](https://tcci.com.au/news) 3. Business groups reject Launceston four-day wage deal Key Tasmanian business organisations have united to oppose the proposed Launceston City Council wage deal, warning it risks slower services, higher costs and weaker confidence at a critical time for the Northern economy. Speaking after a joint media conference in Launceston, Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Michael Bailey OAM, Housing Industry Association Tasmania CEO Benjamin Price, Tasmanian Automotive Chamber Of Commerce Manager Bruce McIntosh, Civil Contractors Association of Tasmania CEO Andrew Winch, TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman urged councillors to rethink the proposal. Mr Bailey said that a 20 per cent reduction in hours for the same pay inside council is the wrong move at the wrong time for Launceston. He said council is a monopoly provider of key regulatory and planning services, and any reduction in capacity will inevitably flow through to project delays, cost increases and investment uncertainty. **Construction confidence on the line** HIA Tasmania CEO, Benjamin Price said the proposal sends a troubling signal to the construction sector, already dealing with higher interest rates, skills shortages and rising input costs. “Business confidence relies on consistent, five-day capacity at council. A 20 per cent reduction in hours is a direct hit to that confidence,” Mr Price said. > “Construction businesses plan around council timeframes. When capacity drops, business confidence drops with it. Less time on the clock inside council cannot become more time on hold for Tasmanian construction businesses.” CCFTas CEO, Andrew Winch said, “Nobody could begrudge people for pushing for better pay and conditions, but under this proposal, it appears to be a one-way street”. “Put simply, this proposal appears to be all give and no take, whereby a four-day week is implemented, but the community will get little in return,” Mr Winch said. The five organisations are calling for Launceston City Council to pause the proposal. They say workplace innovation must improve cost, productivity and service, not gamble with them. *![Picture1.png](https://tcci.com.au/getattachment/4c50ac4b-efcc-42c1-8c57-354c1b2418f7/Picture1.png)* *![Picture2.jpg](https://tcci.com.au/getattachment/586e4bb4-b0eb-4fe4-a2d3-1571ba0b9ce5/Picture2.jpg)* *![Picture3.png](https://tcci.com.au/getattachment/c2ae26f8-c04e-425b-b96e-98ec669a6fa2/Picture3.png)* **Media Contact:** Madie Underwood Business Support Coordinator 03 6236 3600 [ ![TCCI Charter 1](https://tcci.com.au/volumes/images/News/2026/_600x600_crop_center-center_none/17396/TCCI-Charter-1.webp) Prev post ### TCCI Secures Government Charter Charter commits to contracting with local businesses, paying invoices within 14 days and acting as a model litigant in any contractual disputes. ](https://tcci.com.au/news/tcci-secures-government-charter) [ #### Next post ### News & Events - 4 February 2026 eNewsletter ![Photo by Eyestetix Studio](https://tcci.com.au/volumes/images/Unsplash/_600x600_crop_center-center_none/17718/photo-1409296156.webp) ](https://tcci.com.au/news/news-events-12-may-2026-2)