Household rubbish collection was disrupted for the second time in three weeks when Brimbank council workers walked off the job last week.
In a series of rolling stoppages, waste service workers and other outdoor and indoor staff went on strike for four hours last Tuesday, rallying outside the Sunshine municipal office as enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) negotiations remained at an impasse.
The Australian Services Union (ASU), which is representing a number of council staff, last week also enacted indefinite bans on:
• Rubbish collection and street cleaning;
• Issuing infringement notices in selected areas;
• Mowing selected parks and sports grounds;
• Repairing or cleaning equipment; and
• Reading and responding to emails from managers, directors and the chief executive.
The industrial action was the second recent strike after depot staff downed tools at the end of September and disrupted rubbish collection.
Council staff and the ASU are concerned about a clause in the draft EBA that refers to the introduction of GPS devices on council vehicles, plant and equipment, and the introduction of surveillance technology.
In a statement, Brimbank council apologised for the disruptions.
“Council is responding to all industrial action with the aim of minimising the impact on our community,” the statement read.
