Ipswich City Council reaches agreement with council workers to end bin collection strike

The week-long strike that has seen over 90,000 bin collections missed in Ipswich has come to end, with the workers earning an ‘incredible’ payrise win.

Springfield Lakes residents posted video of their bin collections to social media. Source: Binu Thuruthiyil via Facebook

Just days before Christmas, Ipswich City Council has ensured that prawn heads will not be left on the road side, as they reached an in-principle agreement with bin collectors who have been striking for just over a week.

From today residents are encouraged to “leave their bins on the kerb until collected”, according to a statement from Ipswich City Council.

Since last Friday over 90,000 bin collections have been missed in eight suburbs around the Springfield Lakes area.

“We will continue to carry out catch-up collection services in suburbs affected by strike action in the lead-up to Christmas.

“From Monday, residents can leave out their bins as per their usual collection schedule,” read the council statement.

The agreement was reached with three unions; The Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Industrial Union (CFMEU), Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) and the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU), who represent “a third of council’s workforce” according to Ipswich City Council.

Residents have taken to social media to express their joy as garbage truck returned to Ipswich streets.

@spicyhotpotttrani#ipswhich#garbagetruck#payrise#fullsupoort#youdeserveit#fyp#foryoupage#foryoupageofficiall#fypfypfypfypfypfypfypfypfypfypfyp#fijitiktok🇫🇯#nztiktok#canadatiktok#usa_tiktok#ipswich#brisbanewale#brisbane_australia♬ APT. - ROSÉ & Bruno Mars

“Then God sent an angel to collect his rubbish bin…best Christmas gift ever,” said Springfield Lakes resident Binu Thuruthiyil via Facebook.

The new agreement will offer a 13.75 per cent wage increase over three years, a one per cent increase on Ipswich City Council’s first bargaining position

The arrangement also includes a move into a 36.25 hour work week by July 2026.

“This is an incredible win for these union members, who fought so hard for a fair pay increase”, said TWU Queensland Director of Organising Josh Millroy.

“It’s a shame it took 90,000 bins sitting out on the street for Council to come to their senses, but we’re glad they’ve finally come back to the table,” Mr Millroy said.