Huge issue facing suburban streets the week leading up to Christmas

Thousands of residents will be dealing with stinky rubbish as garbage truck drivers and workers walk off the job over pay disputes with the local council.

Thousands of residents in a Queensland suburb are facing a stinky situation as bins go uncollected after garbage truck drivers and other workers went on strike over pay disputes.

Approximately 400 members of three unions have walked off the job for the second day after pay negotiations with Ipswich City Council stalled, with further strikes intended if the desired outcome is not reached.

Bins are overflowing as garbos walk off the job. Picture: 9News

Workers are asking for a 15 per cent pay increase over three years, but the council turned down this proposition and instead offered 12.75 per cent.

Garbage truck drivers refused to collect household rubbish as part of the industrial action against the council, leaving approximately 30,000 wheelie bins overflowing on the suburban streets.

The ongoing strike is currently affecting 11 suburbs including Churchill, Deebing Heights, Flinders View, Ripley, South Ripley, Eastern Heights, Ipswich, Raceview, Silkstone, Swanbank, and Yamanto.

Despite the three unions holding a meeting with Ipswich City Council on Monday evening, the workers confirmed they would continue their strike.

Ipswich City Council chief executive officer Matt Smith said the continued industrial action was “disappointing” and steps would be taken to minimise the impact of the strikes.

“It was pleasing that the unions accepted our invitation back to the bargaining table, but it is disappointing they are still rejecting council’s fair and reasonable offer of 12.75 per cent wage increases over three years,” he said.

“Council will continue to do all in our power to mitigate impacts of this protected industrial action on our residents leading up to Christmas.”

Transport Workers Union political and campaigns manager Josh Millroy said the council’s offer was “too low” and “does not compensate for how far backwards these guys have gone over the last few years”.

Hundreds of union workers have walked off the job in Queensland. Picture: 9News

Bins have gone uncollected for days. Picture: 9News.

Members of the three unions have also asked for a 1.5 per cent increase in superannuation, but their request was denied.

“There’s plenty of money being spent in this budget that is not being spent on these workers,” Mr Millroy said.

“We’ve had $100m for a redevelopment here for a pub and a cinema, yet we can’t pay these guys enough money to support their families.”

Failure to accept the conditions could mean further strikes, likely to continue next Monday and Tuesday.

Residents in the affected suburbs are encouraged to leave their bins out overnight if they are yet to be collected while the industrial action takes place.

The council has extended its free waste drop-off service at two Racecourse Recovery Centres in Riverview and Rosewood until Thursday.

“If residents affected by the action tomorrow do not have their bins collected by Wednesday morning, they are also able to take part in this service,” Mr Smith said.

“This will allow residents to dispose of waste ahead of Christmas week.

“We apologise for the disruptions to service and thank residents for their understanding and patience.”