Council Workers Ready for Action

Date: 28 July 2003

Sydney City Council has arrogantly dumped on its workforce, the Industrial Relations Commission, the Minister for Local Government and their ratepayers by threatening to sack council garbage workers who are working to a recommendation of the Industrial Relations Commission.

According to the United Services Union, the workers have been subjected to appalling harassment by the Council simply because they are doing their job and abiding by the recommendation of the Industrial Relations Commission. USU Organiser Mark McLeay said the workers were targeted by Council when they transferred from South Sydney and Leichhardt Councils following the boundary changes that took place late last year.

"One of the conditions that the Minister for Local Government set when approving the boundary changes last year was that transferring workers would have their conditions of employment protected for three years. In an incredible act of arrogance the Council tried to force the workers to drop their 'job and finish' provisions and when the independent umpire recommended the Minister's determination stay in place Council spat the dummy and ignored it," said Mark McLeay.

"They have now gone back to the Commission for a second try," said Mark McLeay. "It would not surprise me if they ignored any new recommendation either, I mean this is a council that forces boundary changes on its workforce and its ratepayers - grabs the money and then calls foul. They have a history of ignoring the Industrial Relations Commission unless it agrees with them."

The garbage collectors work to a "job and finish" industry standard, which means they start early and work until the job is complete. The advantages to the community and the commuters are overwhelming because garbage trucks are off the busy peak hour roads and garbage is not left around to bake in the hot sun. It also means a safer working environment for garbage collectors who are not forced to negotiate clearways and irate drivers.

"The Union is seeking two things - an Award that will protect our members' pre-transfer conditions and protection from harassment. Our members are strained to the limit with this threat on them all the time and the Union is seriously concerned that the Council is set to sack them. They received a second warning on Friday. I think the next one will be dismissal."

The Union believes that the current campaign is a continuation of the policies of the former regime. "For years the Sydney City Council has had a combative style of industrial relations and this has not changed," said Mark McLeay. "They have consistently tried to move to contract labour and their current action makes it apparent that they will stop at nothing to achieve that aim."

The Union believes it is not just the jobs of the garbage staff who transferred from South Sydney and Leichhardt whose jobs are threatened.

The USU is calling on the Minister for Local Government Tony Kelly to force the Council to abide by the law. "If they don't, he has no other choice but to sack them and appoint an administrator who can lawfully handle the affairs of Council," said Mark McLeay.

For further information contact Mark McLeay on (02) 9265 8211 or 0409 915 270.

For further information

Contact:	Brian Harris
Union:	Municipal Employees Union
Phone:	(02) 9265 8211
Email:	help@usu.org.au
WWW:	http://www.usu.org.au

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