Maurice Blackburn lawyers in bitter pay fight

Lawyers at the Labor-linked law firm that markets itself with the slogan “fighting for fair” are close to launching industrial action after months of failed negotiations over a new pay deal.

Maurice Blackburn workers have demanded an effective 23 per cent pay rise over three years. Picture: AAP

A prominent Labor-linked law firm is locked in a bitter pay dispute with its lawyers amid demands for massive pay increases.

The Herald Sun can reveal lawyers at Maurice Blackburn are now close to launching industrial action following months of failed negotiations over a new pay deal.

Maurice Blackburn said amid failed negotiations, which have lasted more than six months, workers have demanded an effective 19 per cent pay rise over three years.

Instead they have been offered closer to 10 per cent, alongside additional provisions, sources said.

On Thursday the Australian Services Union was granted approval for a protected action ballot of staff by the Fair Work Commission.

ASU Victorian Private Sector Branch Secretary Imogen Sturni said a vote about whether to launch industrial action would proceed in coming weeks.

“For our members at Maurice Blackburn, the key bargaining issues remain remuneration, work life balance and a range of other key workplace conditions,” she said.

“The protected action ballot of staff is likely to take place before the end of November.

“We call on Maurice Blackburn to come to the bargaining table with a meaningful offer for all staff before Christmas.”

Workers at the law firm _ which prides itself on “fighting for fair” _ were last involved in a bitter pay dispute with executives in 2016.

They voted to take industrial action amid claims the company failed to negotiate in good faith.

It is not yet clear what industrial action would include.

A Maurice Blackburn spokesman said theunion had “not shifted meaningfully from its claim for employees to receive a 19 per cent pay rise over three years.”