Garbage truck drivers threaten strike in Adelaide’s north over job security

Tens of thousands of Adelaide homes could be without bin collections in the coming weeks, as garbage truck drivers threaten to strike over a very common concern.

More than 80,000 homes in Adelaide’s northern suburbs could be without bin collection early next year, as truck drivers threaten to walk off the job for weeks over job security concerns.

The mass strike, which would affect the Playford, Gawler and Salisbury council areas, could happen as soon as early January, if pleas for better pay conditions are not met.

Branch Secretary at the Transport Workers Union (TWU), Sam McIntosh told 7News Adelaide that drivers were asking for better job security.

Bins could be overflowing in Adelaide's northern suburbs if garbage truck drivers go on strike early next year. 7News Adelaide.

“They’re looking for better redundancy provisions and entitlements, and that’s because there’s great uncertainty about whether these workers are going to be in this job next year,” he said.

“So this matters to them, (and) it matters to their families.

“These are extremely hardworking garbo’s, (and) they’re local residents.”

Currently, waste management services, Veolia, is contracted for bin collection across the three council areas.

Garbage truck drivers threaten strike over job security concerns. 7News Adelaide.

However, the TWU fears there could be job losses in the new year, with a new contractor set to take over from Veolia in September.

A northern suburbs resident told 7News Adelaide that they were concerned the streets would be filled with rubbish, leaving a bad smell in the area.

“Well, that’s going to be chaotic … I can imagine the maggot infested bins and you know, the smell that obviously comes with it,” he said.

“They’re out there doing their job, keeping the streets clean.”

It is unclear if the new contractor will keep the same staff, or if the demands of truck drivers will be met.