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Canberra garbage truck drivers have not made a decision on whether to strike again next week as negotiations are ongoing between the union and government contractor. Drivers have already walked off the job three times in recent weeks over a pay dispute with contractor Suez. Workers have pushed for a 12 per cent pay rise over the next three and a half years but Suez only offered an 8 per cent rise. This offer was increased to 8.3 per cent this week but was rejected. Further strike action has been threatened. Earlier this week, TWU ACT sub-branch secretary Klaus Pinkas said workers were considering further strike action next week but as of Friday afternoon no decision had been reached. Four days working notice is required for industrial action meaning the earliest drivers could strike is next Friday. A planned strike did not go ahead on Friday. Discussions are continuing between the Transport Workers’ Union and Suez. The pay dispute has been going on for six months. Suez have previously said the drivers’ pay demands were “unfair and unreasonable”. IN OTHER NEWS: But one driver, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed there was a “toxic culture problem” and that it was “more than a pay dispute”. He said drivers were fuelled by a resolve to improve conditions. The Canberra Times reported earlier this week that garbage truck drivers could earn more than $120,000. This figure was disputed by Mr Pinkas who said it was closer to $105,000. This figure was calculated by their 2016 salary, which the former Suez ACT manager Jason Stewart said on average was $95,000 a year. In each of the last four years, drivers have had a 3.4 per cent pay rise, which based on the 2016 figure would leave many with an average of $108,000 a year. If drivers received a 12 per cent pay rise over the next three years this would increase to $122,000 based on the same number of over time hours. Drivers are paid $37.28 an hour but their take home pay is higher due to overtime. For faster access to the latest Canberra news, download The Canberra Times app for iOS and Android.
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Canberra garbage truck drivers have not made a decision on whether to strike again next week as negotiations are ongoing between the union and government contractor.
Further strike action has been threatened.
Earlier this week, TWU ACT sub-branch secretary Klaus Pinkas said workers were considering further strike action next week but as of Friday afternoon no decision had been reached.
Four days working notice is required for industrial action meaning the earliest drivers could strike is next Friday.
A planned strike did not go ahead on Friday.
Discussions are continuing between the Transport Workers’ Union and Suez.
The pay dispute has been going on for six months.
Suez have previously said the drivers’ pay demands were “unfair and unreasonable”.
But one driver, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed there was a “toxic culture problem” and that it was “more than a pay dispute”. He said drivers were fuelled by a resolve to improve conditions.
This figure was calculated by their 2016 salary, which the former Suez ACT manager Jason Stewart said on average was $95,000 a year.
In each of the last four years, drivers have had a 3.4 per cent pay rise, which based on the 2016 figure would leave many with an average of $108,000 a year.
If drivers received a 12 per cent pay rise over the next three years this would increase to $122,000 based on the same number of over time hours.
Drivers are paid $37.28 an hour but their take home pay is higher due to overtime.
