Maribyrnong council has defended its decision to spend ratepayers’ money on “strike-breaker” contractors as workers enter their third week of industrial action.
The Australian Services Union says undermining council staff by using contractors won’t stop the work bans that are costing the council revenue from services such as libraries and the Maribyrnong aquatic centre.
ASU organiser Melissa Wainwright said the council was wasting ratepayers’ money at the expense of a three-year-deal concerning fair pay and conditions.
“Our members are angry about contractors coming in and doing this work,” she said.
“Our demands are far from unreasonable. To offer no real new incentives in the upcoming agreement shows a complete lack of understanding from management.”
Work bans include street and public toilet cleaning, mowing of high-profile parks and collecting money on the council’s behalf. Ms Wainwright said the ASU and management were expected to meet yesterday to thrash out their differences.
Council chief executive Vince Haining said contractors had been called upon to perform extra duties to maintain services affected by the work bans.
“We have an obligation to our ratepayers and community to maintain essential services such as mowing sports fields, collecting rubbish and performing maintenance tasks,” he said. “Council is committed to resolving the issue through negotiation and continues to offer a generous pay increase to employees.”
Mr Haining would not reveal the cost but said the council was “ready to extend its use of contractors” should the union fail to back down from its demands.
The ASU has raised occupational health and safety concerns over the use of the contractors and questioned the use of council machinery without adequate induction.
