Almost 30,000 homes may not have their rubbish bins collected in Queensland as council waste workers go on strike.
About 60 workers represented by the Transport Workers’ Union and the Australian Workers’ Union have voted to take protected action to call for a pay rise and improved conditions.
The workers are asking Ipswich City Council for a pay rise of 15 per cent over three years and allowances for handling toxic substances.
Transport Workers’ Union Queensland director of organising Josh Millroy said the strike can be stopped “if a fair deal is reached”.
“The workers will go back to work today and everyone will be happy,” Millroy said.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said council had previously put forward an offer.
“The council executive have put forward an offer of 12.75 per cent pay rise over three years,” Harding said.
The garbage strike is likely to affect homes across at least eight suburbs including greater Springfield, Camira, Gailes, Spring Mountain, Brookwater and Whiterock.
Council has opened waste centres in Riverview and Rosewood free of charge for residents in affected suburbs.
Temperatures are expected to sit above 30 degrees in the next few days.
