Waste workers employed by a major company will refuse to collect at least 35,000 bins in what will be their third strike action since the start of the year.
Members of the Transport Workers Union employed by waste giant Cleanaway on contracts with the City of Sydney have taken industrial action to negotiate better pay and working conditions.
“We must remember these essential workers who keep all of our streets clean and safe have been working without a wage increase for nearly two years,” TWU NSW Secretary Richard Olsen said.
“That is a disgrace.”
Waste workers are refusing to collect at least 35,000 waste bins in the City of Sydney council area on Tuesday.
“They will remain on the streets for quite some days to come,” Mr Olsen said.
The union is claiming that Cleanaway refused to partake in negotiation until they were taken to court.
“That is again an outrageous position that in 2022, a company needs to be taken to court just to commence negotiations,” Mr Olsen said.
He said workers employed in the City of Sydney council area are at least $4/ hour behind most other Cleanaway waste workers in NSW.
“We are the lowest paid in Cleanaway that we are aware of,” he said.
The union is calling on the Council to intervene as they are responsible for the contract with Cleanaway.
“The City of Sydney Council upon their deafness stand condemned for not getting involved, for not encouraging their contractor to sit with the union and find a compromised deal that will get everyone back to work,” Mr Olsen said.
He said the union is concerned for the healthy and safety of city residents if the bins remain uncollected for the rest of the week.
NCA Newswire has contacted the City of Sydney Council and Cleanaway for comment.
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