A LONG-STANDING union ban preventing the fluoridation of Ballarat’s water supply is being reconsidered.

The ban was enforced more than 20 years ago by the Electrical Trades Union, the Plumbers Union and the Australian Services Union.

It came after Ballarat residents rejected a proposal to fluoridate the city’s water supply, and unions refused to install the equipment required to fluoridate the water.

Since then, they have believed the State Government should canvass the community to find the public’s views.

In March this year it was announced Ballarat’s drinking water would be fluoridated.

It is believed fluoride dosing facilities still exist at Ballarat’s reservoirs, but have never been used.

Ballarat Trades Hall secretary Graeme Shearer said the unions were currently considering the bans due to industrial action law changes.

“They are exploring what their policy is going to be in the near future,” he said. “All unions and the Labour Council in Ballarat are still committed to the State Government conducting a plebiscite to ascertain the wishes of the community.”

At least one of the unions are still committed to the ban.

But Central Highlands Water’s ASU members recently voted to lift their ban.

ASU industrial officer Danny Harris said the union had reviewed it and did not want to hold up the State Government’s decision.

He said it was now up to the government to conduct a plebiscite.

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