Bins set to overflow as Cleanway waste workers vote to go on strike

Rubbish is set to pile up across suburbs in Melbourne’s north and west after an ongoing pay dispute led Cleanaway workers to vote for strike action.

Waste workers have voted in favour of strikes again Cleanaway.

Rubbish is expected to pile up at schools and businesses across Melbourne’s north and west after waste workers voted in favour of strikes against Cleanaway.

The Transport Workers Union has revealed its members voted to hold stop work meetings and ban overtime on Thursday and next Tuesday amid an ongoing pay dispute.

They have warned this will lead to delays in rubbish being collected at businesses and schools across the councils areas of Moonee Valley, Moreland, Human, Brimbank, Wyndham and Banyule.

The TWU has been negotiating pay deals across each council area and union figures escalated the dispute amid claims Cleanaway attempted to add new clauses without consultation.

Transport Workers Union state secretary Mike McNess says Cleanaway has tried to ‘pull one over’ on their workforce. Pic: Supplied

State secretary Mike McNess accused the company of trying to “pull one over” their workforce.

“Workers have a right to transparency and explanation of all of the conditions proposed by the company before voting on a document that will become their future working conditions,” he said.

“Workers at Cleanaway do not make the decision to take stop work action lightly and are aware of the unfortunate impact this will have on the community.

“It is however the only option workers have been left with.

“Cleanaway’s poor treatment of their workers and not bargaining in good faith has led to a situation that could have a severe impact on essential waste collection services that Victorians rely on.”