Brimbank council workers at the Keilor Park depot will walk off the job for three days this week over privacy concerns in a proposed new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA).
Australian Services Union (ASU) organiser Russell McGregor said more than 200 council workers would strike on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and picket the council depot.
The strike will affect all outdoor services including rubbish collection, by-laws officers and parks and gardens. Emergency call-outs that could compromise health or safety are exempt from the work bans.
The strike action follows a Star Weekly report that revealed concerns by council staff and the ASU over 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.
“What council wants to do is 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 of concern to staff.
He said matters intensified last week when Brimbank chief executive Bill Jaboor sent an email to staff saying it was illegal to pay employees in full if they engaged in work bans.
“The Fair Work Act does not compel or force the CEO to reduce the pay of employees,” Mr McGregor said.
“It’s a disgrace that the CEO has chosen to threaten workers in this way.”
Council governance and community director Helen Morrissey said the council was bargaining in good faith and was disappointed by the industrial action.
“We want the best deal for our ratepayers in this enterprise agreement, as well as a fair outcome for staff,” she said.
The council said residents should put bins out as normal and leave them out until emptied.
