Industrial Action by Council Workers in Melbourne
Council workers across several local government areas in Melbourne have taken part in industrial action, ceasing to collect rubbish and issue parking tickets. This move is part of a broader effort by the Australian Services Union (ASU) to address wage concerns. The action impacts waste collection in Merri-bek, Darebin, and Hume, as well as parking enforcement in Yarra, Maribyrnong, and Melbourne.
Over 70 workers have walked off the job for 24 hours, with the ASU indicating that further actions could involve general council operations and libraries. The union is seeking an initial 10 per cent pay rise for workers in the first year, followed by annual increases of 4 per cent. According to Tash Wark, the branch secretary for ASU Victoria and Tasmania, workers have experienced a loss of 7 to 12 per cent in real terms since 2021.
“The councils involved in this have fought tooth and nail to try and stop our members from bargaining together across the group of councils,” she said. “So really what we’re doing now is playing a lot of catch up.”
Government Response and Rate Rise Cap
Deputy Premier Ben Carroll defended the rate rise cap, stating it had been in place for ten years and was not the reason for the lack of wage increases. “It has been proven to support Victorians with cost of living and to ensure they have more money in their own pockets,” he said. Carroll emphasized that councils are continuing to negotiate in good faith with the ASU and encouraged them to remain at the table.
However, the ASU highlighted the 2.75 per cent rate rise cap imposed by the state’s Essential Services Commission. Ms. Wark stated that this was a problem for councils to solve. “They’ve been driving down wages and cutting services and outsourcing and a whole bunch of other things instead of going and dealing with that policy issue,” she said.
Impact on Communities
The industrial action has led to significant disruptions, with wheelie bins left uncollected in several areas. The ASU reported that 17,000 bins in the Hume area alone will be left untouched. While a small number of non-union members continue to work, about 7,000 household bins in Darebin and Merri-bek will remain unemptied due to the strike.
Brendan, a worker for Hume’s litter and dumped rubbish team, described his job as challenging but rewarding. “It’s pretty yucky sort of stuff. It’s not nice picking up deceased animals but I actually love my job,” he said. However, he noted the increasing difficulty of making ends meet. “Every year you just get poorer and poorer. When I started five years ago I used to be able to save money but now I can’t even afford to live.”
Call for Fair Pay and Support
Brendan emphasized the importance of council workers in maintaining cleanliness in the community. “We’re out there every day at the front of your houses picking up your rubbish. Without us nothing would be cleaned up around the area. Enough’s enough, we need to stand up and get our fair share.”
A joint statement from several councils acknowledged the right of workers to strike but expressed regret over the impact on communities. “We ask our communities for their patience and we will continue to negotiate in good faith with all unions representing our staff,” the statement read.
Ongoing Negotiations and Future Steps
Despite the current challenges, the councils have reiterated their commitment to resolving the issue through continued negotiations. The ASU remains steadfast in its demand for fair wages and better working conditions. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on finding a solution that ensures both the well-being of workers and the maintenance of essential services for the community.
