Rubbish was left to pile up in Melbourne’s west on Thursday as Cleanaway workers went on strike.
Workers rallied at a depot in Tullamarine near the airport, chanting slogans calling for a better deal.
For several hours bins across schools and businesses in the Moonee Valley, Moreland, Hume, Brimbank, Wyndham and Banyule council areas were left to fester.
So far, residential waste had not been affected.
The dispute between the company and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) relates to ongoing negotiations over an enterprise agreement.
“Cleanaway has attempted to sneak several new clauses after negotiation meetings, a dishonest behaviour for a company that has a long history of disdain toward workers,” the TWU said this week.
As well as Thursday’s action, a further two-hour strike is planned for 10am next Tuesday after Easter.
TWU Branch Secretary for Victoria and Tasmania Mike McNess told 3AW that following discussions on Thursday there had been some movement from the company.
“Unfortunately, what we need when we get these commitments, or movement, from Cleanaway, is to get it in writing,” Mr McNess said.
“Once that request was put on the table, we got a rather hostile reaction, and it certainly was enough for the action to continue this morning.
“They weren’t prepared to make that commitment.”
