Garbage service staff in Noosa are set to go on strike for the second time in the past three weeks, as a dispute over wage increases continues.
Transport Workers’ Union members at Cleanaway Noosa are planning industrial action on Friday, affecting about 8000 bin collections in Sunshine Beach, Peregian Beach, Noosa Springs and Hastings Street.
The Cleanaway workers are campaigning for a pay rise of seven per cent in the first year, saying cost-of-living pressures continue to impact them and their families, and that pay increases have not kept up with inflation over the past three years.
But Cleanaway said it has continued wage negotiations in good faith and was disappointed that strike action was set to be taken in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
“As a result of ex-TC Alfred, Cleanaway halted many of its services to the Noosa region to ensure the safety of our Noosa employees,” a Cleanaway spokesperson said.
“During that time Cleanaway made the decision to pay our Noosa employees despite being stood down on Thursday and Friday of last week in an effort to relieve any concerns in what was already a stressful event.
“It is disappointing that strike action is being taken after services were suspended last week.
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“We will continue to negotiate in good faith.
“We encourage residents to leave their bins out on their regular collection day and if it’s not collected it will be the following days.”
It comes after Cleanaway workers took strike action on Tuesday, February 25, affecting about 6000 bin collections in the Tewantin and Noosaville area.
TWU Queensland director of organising Josh Millroy has also written to Noosa mayor Frank Wilkie calling on his support to end the dispute.
“TWU members are ready to go out on strike again on Friday, as they continue to fight improved working conditions and pay increases to ease cost-of-living pressures,” he said.
“I have written to Noosa Shire mayor Frank Wilkie, encouraging him to step in, support these workers and put the pressure on Cleanaway to present a reasonable offer.
“There’s no doubt that the residents of Noosa appreciate the service they receive from these TWU members nearly every day of the year. The council is ultimately responsible for the delivery of this service and it’s time for Cleanaway to show these workers some respect.
“This industrial action can be called off today, if we receive a reasonable revised offer from Cleanaway.”
Friday’s planned action will be followed by overtime bans by workers on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
TWU members decided not to go ahead with strike action last week as TC Alfred threatened.
Noosa Council said in a statement it was aware of the industrial action on Friday but was a matter between Cleanaway and its workforce.
“We are not involved in these negotiations and are hopeful that matter can be resolved as soon as possible,” CEO Larry Sengstock said.
Mr Sengstock said Cleanaway and their drivers responded quickly to conduct catch-up bin collection services, which council appreciated.
“We have a good working relationship with Cleanaway who do a great job servicing our shire, which was evident by this week’s additional services for our residents who didn’t have their bins collected last week due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred,” he said.
The council confirmed Cleanaway had advised that residents should place their bins on the kerbside on the scheduled collection day and if it’s not collected, it will be the following day.
