SA garbage workers vote for strike that would leave 80,000 homes without rubbish collection

The strike could start in a matter of weeks after more than 90 per cent of workers voted in favour of industrial action – and potentially leave 80,000 homes without a rubbish collection.

More than 80,000 northern suburbs homes could be left without rubbish collection, after garbage collectors vote overwhelmingly for a strike.

In a vote on Wednesday, 94.3pc of garbos voted to take industrial action, as their standoff with councils over wages and a change in waste services contractor continued.

The Advertiser understands no time frame for action is in place at this stage.

The strike would leave homes in the Playford, Gawler and Salisbury council areas without rubbish collection, as truck drivers threaten to walk off the job if a deal can’t be struck between the Transport Worker’s Union’s (TWU) SA/NT Branch and the councils.

There are growing fears that bins will overflow in Adelaide’s northern suburbs. Picture: File.

TWU’s SA/NT Branch Secretary Sam McIntosh defended the strike, saying workers did a “difficult and important job everyday”.

“Our members have just voted overwhelmingly for the right to take industrial action and have sent a very clear message,’ he said.

“These are hardworking local waste workers who are facing great uncertainty over their future.

“(They) work from the crack of dawn and over the Christmas break – and are northern suburbs locals too.”

Mr McIntosh said they wanted greater job security for the drivers, as the council’s plan for a switch from current waste management contractor Veolia in September had created fears around job losses.

A full wheelie bin with rubbish bags overflowing onto the pavement. Picture: File

“Local workers don’t know if they will even be in a job later this year or if their many years of service will be recognised,” he said.

“It means that the terms that we are now bargaining for in enterprise agreement negotiations are indicative of a group that is extremely apprehensive about the future.”

The TWU have said “all options are on the table”, with rolling stoppages and skipping specific collections being considered, while Mr McIntosh urged the council to “step up” and look after their hardworking local waste workers”.

“Industrial action could mean the chaos of tens of thousands of bins throughout the northern suburbs left on kerbsides,” Mr McIntosh said.

“This is very significant and never a decision we take lightly, but consider the position our members and their families have been forced into.

Originally published as SA garbage workers vote for strike that would leave 80,000 homes without rubbish collection