Reason behind Sydney’s bin chaos as workers go on strike

Bin workers across Sydney and Canberra have walked off the job in an attempt to stop pay stagnation and additional weekend work.

Bin workers across Sydney and Canberra have walked off the job in an attempt to stop pay stagnation, a cut in overtime rates and longer shifts.

Workers gathered outside the Erskine Park Cleanaway centre on Tuesday at 7.30am.

The action resulted in tens of thousands of bins left uncollected in the City of Sydney, Randwick, Erskine Park and Silverwater.

Another strike is also taking place in Canberra.

TWU NSW/Qld Secretary Richard Olsen said the action is a result of unanswered calls for better conditions.

“In the City of Sydney, there are some 35,000 bins not being collected today in the show a unity and strength by all the members on that contract,” he said.

Thousands of bins were not collected in Sydney on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tim Pascoe

“They are joined by members from the Randwick Council, there are well over 20,000 bins not being collected there.”

Mr Olsen went on to say the strike is just the latest in a string over the past few months.

“Put simply they’re seeking a rollover of their conditions and improvement in their wages. Not much to ask when we’re considering the cost of living goes through the roof.

“You wouldn’t have thought it would be a major ask. These people have had to go on strike for five days over the past four months.”

Cleanaway said the company was supportive of the rights of workers to take industrial action and negotiating conditions.

“During this period we will continue to work hard to ensure there are minimal impacts to our affected customers and residents,” he said.

“If services are missed on the scheduled day our teams will complete them in the following days.”

Originally published as Reason behind Sydney’s bin chaos as workers go on strike