SYDNEY CLEANAWAY WASTE WORKERS TO STRIKE THIS FRIDAY OVER ATTACKS ON PAY AND CONDITIONS

This Friday, waste workers in City of Sydney, Randwick, and Erskine Park will each hold a 24-hour strike over Cleanaway’s attacks to their pay and conditions which would see workers and their families go significantly backwards.

The disputes follow months of negotiations at each site, which include Cleanaway attempting to roll back conditions like overtime, rostering and consultation, while City of Sydney workers’ pay falls behind their colleagues in other areas.

Cleanaway workers across the country are battling an onslaught of attacks from the company with Queensland waste workers walking off the job last week over attempts to slash the overtime payments they rely on.

Last year, the TWU successfully fought for the reinstatement of a Sydney delegate involved in enterprise agreement negotiations after he was unfairly sacked by the company.

TWU NSW/Queensland Secretary Richard Olsen said workers are calling the company back to the table to act responsibly and fairly.

“It is beyond disappointing that Cleanaway is repeating the vicious attacks on workers’ pay and conditions we have seen across the country, leaving hardworking garbos no choice but to take protected industrial action to protect their entitlements and keep up with sky-high cost-of-living pressures.

“These workers are pillars of the community, performing a tough and critical job for the people of Sydney. They can’t continue these jobs safely without fair treatment, respect, and financial security for their families.

“Waste collection trucks share the streets of our suburbs with mums, dads, kids, and grandparents. It is critical that the workers behind the wheel are not under pressure to work long hours or rush because they’re struggling to make ends meet.

“At Erskine Park, Cleanaway is attempting to change an 8-hour day to a 12-hour day – the maximum truck drivers are legally allowed to work in order to manage fatigue – meaning workers would lose the overtime pay they often rely on.

“The attacks to workers’ pay and conditions are numerous and unacceptable. Cleanaway must act responsibly and return to the table to negotiate a fair, safe and sustainable agreement,” he said.

In City of Sydney and Randwick, public bins will be affected, while the Erskine Park site is responsible for commercial waste in the area.

Media contact: Pippa Hatton 0418 982 257