Sydney waste workers disrupt rubbish collection following months of negotiation
Image: Lord Mayor Clover Moore. The strike has impacted the City of Sydney local government area. Photo: James Gourley/AAP.
By JUSTIN COOPER
City of Sydney Council has recently warned residents of “temporary delays” in waste collection, following a 24-hour strike from Transport Workers Union (TWU) against waste contractor Cleanaway.
Last Friday, some workers unexpectedly halted waste collection across City of Sydney area after almost a year of industrial action and eight months of contact negotiations with the waste company.
The industrial action follows changes within enterprise agreements between the company and employees – with a spokesperson from Cleanaway telling City Hub, “a small number of employees do not want to include a possibility that working hours could vary.”
“This is their right and varying work hours would not happen without consultation,” they continued.
In explaining the reasoning for changes in workforce agreements, the spokesperson noted the company is aiming to increase the capacity for flexible work amongst an “increasingly diverse workforce”.
“We believe that the remuneration and condition package being offered is competitive and reflects the needs of the modern workforce,” says Cleanaway spokesperson.
Unions disagree
In announcing the industrial action by union waste workers, TWU labelled the company changes as “persistent attacks to pay and conditions” for employees.
The union explained that the changes attempt to limit overtime entitlements and extend rosters, leaving left workers with less pay and additional work over weekends. TWU also pointed out that the changes follow a “$49 million half-year profit” from the company.
TWU NSW and QLD State Secretary, Richard Olsen, said, “waste workers play an essential role in maintaining the cleanliness of our cities”, as well as the well-being and health of communities.
“Yet, Cleanaway still continue to make attempts to undermine and strip back their working conditions,” said Olsen.
“We have been in bargaining for this agreement for approximately 8 months now, and currently we do not forsee an end to these negotiations any time soon.”
Olsen said the council are “stakeholders” by extension because contracts go through the City of Sydney, and urged Lord Mayor Clover Moore to assist and help bargain with Cleanaway.
“For the sake of these workers, and for the sake of the City of Sydney, we are urging Clover Moore to come forward and contact the TWU as soon as possible, and take a stand in this outrageous matter,” Olsen continued.
Limited capacity for council
A spokesperson for the Lord Mayor told City Hub that whilst contracts with Cleanaway are held with the Council, “the City cannot intervene in negotiations” as Cleanaway are responsible for working conditions and wages.
“Given the advice that all Councillors have received regarding the City’s waste contract, the Lord Mayor will not be meeting with the TWU,” said the spokesperson.
City Hub spoke with Moore who expressed support for workers taking industrial action, saying “these workers do an incredibly demanding and incredibly important job.”
Moore explained that they have previously met with Cleanaway within the Council’s capacity as the contract-holder. Cleanway assured her that negotiations would be resolved promptly.
“My focus in that meeting was on ensuring Cleanaway’s service returns to the high standard the City and our residents expect, and my expectation that workers receive fair pay and conditions,” said Moore.
Recognising the sustained hard work from Cleanaway and cleaning staff during the industrial action, Moore reassured residents that they are working to “clear the backlog as quickly as possible.”
“I know this is a difficult situation, and we are working hard to minimise the disruption to residents during this industrial action,” Moore continued.
Moore asks residents to continue putting their rubbish out on their regular schedule, as 24-hour delays are to be expected with some residents possibly experiencing longer delays. Any rubbish that has not been collected within 48-hours should be reported to City of Sydney Council.
Whilst it is unknown if further industrial action will take place, delays in waste collection across the City of Sydney area may continue to effect residents until further negotiations are agreed upon.
