Thousands of Melbourne households will be forced to cram their rubbish into full bins this week, as kerbside collectors from several councils walked off the job today over pay and conditions.
Waste collectors from Hume, Darebin and Merri-bek councils began strike action this morning, seeking a 10 per cent pay increase this year, followed by 4 per cent increases every year over the next three years.
"They have watched their wages fall by 10 per cent in real terms over the last four years," Australian Services Union (ASU) National Branch Secretary Tash Wark said.
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Household bins and public bins across Melbourne's north weren't emptied today, forcing residents to wait another week until they are collected.
The City of Hume was the worst hit, with around 70 workers walking off the job.
Merri-Bek and Darebin councils were able to bring in in casual staff to minimise the impact on ratepayers.
Wark said residents in Hume would "have to wait".
"We're sorry about that, but we need to make sure our members are seen and heard."
Council worker wages have fallen between seven and 12 per cent since 2021, according to the union.
"ASU members have had a gutful of being left behind while the rate capping policy has really torn down wages in local government," Wark said.
"They're striking today to seek a 10 per cent pay rise, which only goes part of the way to make up from the cost of living and inflation they've been subjected to in the last few years."
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Union members claim they haven't received a pay rise in almost two years.
"Our members have been fighting for a year and a half just to get to the table," Wark said.
"Our members are doing this action regretfully, it is not their first choice, they love their jobs, they're really proud of the communities they support but this is where we're at."
Hume garbage collector Jayden Watson said the wage stagnation had put him behind in his goal of buying a home.
"I try to work hard, I try to stay behind and do more hours… [but] I'm falling behind whilst trying to save money," Watson said.
"We all need to pay bills. Some people are struggling to get food on the table."
In a joint response, the affected councils said negotiations with the ASU was ongoing.
"While we acknowledge the legal right of the ASU to take protected industrial action, these actions affect our communities, which is regrettable," the councils said.
"We are keeping our communities informed on how any industrial action may affect them.
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"We ask our communities for their patience and we will continue to negotiate in good faith with all unions representing our staff."
In addition to the pause on rubbish collection, parking officers in the the cities of Yarra, Maribyrnong and Melbourne also stopped work today.
Local councils claim they're restricted in what they can offer employees, due to the state government's rate-capping policy.
"Every time workers sit down to bargain with councils, they're told the rate cap means that they can't meet their demands. It's not good enough," Wark said.
"It's a simple question of priorities: if the government can find money for politicians like councillors whose wages have gone up by over 10 per cent, they can find the money for the people who pick up the rubbish," Wark said.
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But Acting Premier Ben Carroll insisted the rate cap was a vital measure for the broader community.
"The rates cap is a really important cost-of-living measure that supports hardworking Victorians every day," he said.
A second bargaining meeting was scheduled for today.
If an agreement is not reached at that meeting, further council worker strikes are scheduled for Darebin, Greater Dandenong, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Merri-Bek and Yarra tomorrow.
"It will be things like parks not being mowed, library disruptions, no parking tickets being issued," Wark said.
"Anything a council worker does is going to get disrupted in the next little while.
"We will keep taking action until members get what they deserve."
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