Brimbank residents can expect rubbish collection to return to normal this week.
Brimbank council released a statement on Monday afternoon confirming that rubbish bins will be collected this week on the normal collection day, and apologised to residents who did not have their rubbish and recycling emptied last Wednesday and Thursday.
Council depot workers went on strike over Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week over enterprise bargaining agreement negotiations.
The council hired JJ Richards to take care of last week’s rubbish collection, but the company later decided not to cross ranks after meeting council staff, Australian Services Union organiser Russell McGregor said.
Residents took to social media to vent their frustrations over the weekend after strong winds caused rubbish bins to topple over and rubbish to fly out of overflowing bins and onto residential streets.
Sydenham resident Bek Monkley said she had rubbish bags piled in her garage because her rubbish bin was full to the brim.
“I walked out the front of my house yesterday [Sunday] and every second house has someone outside picking up their bins that had been knocked over by the wind,” she complained on the council’s Facebook page.
Residents with extra waste can dispose of it at no charge at the City Wide Transfer Station Facility in West Melbourne from Tuesday, subject to conditions.
Call 9261 5002 for more information.
Brimbank council administrative staff will join industrial action in coming weeks as the long-running stalemate in enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) negotiations continues.
Earlier last week, Mr McGregor said the union had made an application to extend the protected industrial action order so staff at the council’s municipal offices in Sunshine and Keilor, leisure centre and libraries can join depot staff for a half-day strike.
“It’s the first time in history that indoor staff have voted to go on strike,” Mr McGregor said.
Depot staff went on strike on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week and picketed the Sunshine and Keilor municipal offices.
The strike affected all outdoor services, including rubbish collection, by-laws officers and parks and gardens staff. Exempted were emergency call-outs so as to avoid compromising health or safety.
The council is now taking legal action after union staff prevented contractor JJ Richards making last week’s rubbish collection.
Council staff and the ASU are concerned about a clause in the draft EBA which refers to the introduction of GPS on council vehicles, plant and equipment and the introduction of surveillance technology.
Mr McGregor said the clause meant Brimbank council would be removing its employees’ legal right to privacy.
“The Surveillance Act states you can track someone’s movements or the vehicle they’re in only with their express consent,” he said.
“The council wants to put that into an enterprise agreement and get people to vote on it. It means people who didn’t give express consent would have their rights eroded.”
Mr McGregor said the outsourcing of council services was also concerning staff.
Council corporate and community relations director Helen Morrissey said negotiations were at an impasse, with the council planning a staff vote on its draft EBA next month.
“Only a portion of union members have decided to take industrial action. While this is disappointing, it is their right,” she said.
“Council is seeking value for money for the community and fair conditions for staff.
“While industrial action is under way, council will seek to minimise the impact and restore services to normal as quickly as possible.”
