Transport Workers’ Union marches to Noosa Council in Tewantin

Garbage collectors are on strike as a pay dispute escalates, with a union claiming the cost of living is hurting workers.

Noosa garbage collectors and waste workers went on strike in Tewantin on February 25.

Garbage collectors and waste workers in Noosa are on strike after a pay negotiation between Cleanaway and the union soured.

The group of about 50 Transport Workers’ Union members marched in Tewantin to the Noosa Council chambers on Tuesday, February 25.

TWU Union members have been calling for a 7 per cent pay rise from contractor Cleanaway, which services the Noosa Shire.

Garbos demonstrated in Tewantin outside the Noosa Council offices, chanting “without garbos, Noosa Stinks” and “Cleanaway, time to pay”.

The union’s Queensland organising director Josh Millroy said Cleanaway had “shipped in” workers from as far away as Narangba and Logan to try and fill the holes in services.

TWU Union Members outside the Noosa Council building in Tewantin.

“They’re spending bucket loads of cash driving them all the way up here and paying them god knows what incentives when all they need to do is sit down with their own workforce and work out a deal,” he said.

TWU lead organiser Richard O’Sullivan said they were calling on Cleanaway to come back to the bargaining table and take it seriously.

“The low wage puts a lot of pressure on families,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

John Millroy

Mr Millroy quoted rent and mortgage increases, especially in Noosa Shire Council area, as unfairly impacting essential workers.

Garbage collectors and waste workers in Noosa are on strike after a pay negotiation between Cleanaway and the union soured. Richard O’Sullivan pictured.

The garbos themselves could not comment for fear of losing their job, with workers alleging others had been fired before for talking about strikes or the company to the media.

A Noosa Council spokesman said yesterday it was advised by Cleanaway that it had contingencies in place to minimise the impact of any interruptions to bin collection.

A Cleanaway spokesman said it would continue to negotiate in good faith with employees to reach a speedy resolution.

“If your bin is not collected, we ask the residents leave their bin on the kerbside and it will be collected the following day,” he said.

The strikers said 6000 people would be impacted by today’s strikes.