The number of uncollected bins is mounting into the tens of thousands in Queensland as garbage workers continue to strike amid stalled negotiations.
Despite some collections yesterday, about 30,00 wheelie bins remain full and waiting for collection in 11 suburbs.
The action has left residents more cautious about their consumption and waste.
“As we’re moving into Christmas, just a little bit more mindful about what we’re putting into the bins so we don’t make a bit of a problem for ourselves into the future,” new Ipswich resident Stephen Johns said.
“We’ll just have to manage what we put in there and hopefully we can resolve this as quickly as possible.”
Workers want a 15 per cent pay rise over three years but the council is only offering 12.75 per cent.
“The bottom line is their offer is too low and it does not compensate for how far backwards these guys have gone over the last few years,” Transport Workers Union’s Josh Milroy said.
“There’s quite a significant increase that the union has asked for, over and above what we’re offering to the tune of several million dollars impact on council,” acting Ipswich council chief executive Matt Smith said.
Workers also want a 1.5 per cent increase in superannuation, which the council has knocked back.
“There’s plenty of money being spent in this budget that is not being spent on these workers,” Milroy said.
“We’ve had $100 million for a redevelopment here for a pub and a cinema yet we can’t pay these guys enough money to support their families.”
But the council claimed if it agrees to the union’s demands, it could push rates up about five per cent.
There are threats of more strikes just a week out from Christmas.
“There’s likely to be action on Monday and Tuesday next week as well,” Milroy said.
