Union members at the Sunshine Coast’s main yellow-lid bin processing facility have voted unanimously in favour of taking protected industrial action as they push for higher wages and improved conditions.
Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) members at the Re.Group Material Recovery Facility in Bli Bli are seeking a 7 per cent annual pay and allowance increase, along with other workplace improvements.
The union has warned that if action proceeds, it could cause significant disruption to yellow-lid recycling services across the region.
The $40 million recycling facility was funded through all levels of government and opened in late 2023, with Re.Group tasked with the ongoing operation of the plant.
TWU Queensland director of organising Josh Millroy said workers had reached the decision after months of stalled negotiations.
“TWU waste workers at Re.Group on the Sunshine Coast are fighting for a fair deal from the company. After months of inaction from the company, TWU members are turning to their next option: industrial action,” he said.
“Workers have shown their remarkable strength at this worksite by voting 100 per cent in favour of strike action.
“These members are bargaining for a cost-of-living pay rise to pick them up off the award minimum wage, along with other improvements to safety and working conditions.”
Re.Group chief development officer Garth Lamb said the company was working to resolve the dispute.
“We value all our employees and are committed to maintaining positive, respectful relationships with our workforce throughout the bargaining process,” he said.
“As that process is continuing, we won’t be commenting further at this stage.”
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The TWU said Re.Group had initially refused to bargain, prompting members to seek a ‘majority support determination’ from the Fair Work Commission, which ruled the company must negotiate an enterprise agreement.
The union said there had been nine enterprise agreement meetings and one conciliation session through the commission, but “progress has been minimal” and the company’s draft agreement still contained below-award conditions.
“This highly profitable multi-national company operates in a taxpayer-funded facility, and receives payment from the council contracts. I think the people of the Sunshine Coast deserve to know that their waste workers are being paid fairly because, currently, they’re not,” Mr Millroy said.
“These are essential workers doing critical public work on minimum wages. They deserve better.
“If these workers are forced to go on strike by their employers, this will cause major disruptions to Sunshine Coast waste services. If this facility isn’t processing recycling it will reach capacity, leaving garbos with nowhere to dump their yellow bin runs.
“Industrial action is always a last resort but if Re.Group won’t respect its workforce, members will do what it takes to be heard.”
Sunshine Coast Council was contacted for comment but said it was not directly involved in the matter.
“Re.Group operates the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) on behalf of Sunshine Coast Council. This matter is one between Re.Group and its employees. Council has no further information at this time,” a spokesperson said.
No potential date for industrial action had been determined.
