
Issue No 63		21 July 2000

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News

Garbos Forced to Ditch Early Start

By Scott Connolly

Waste workers in Sydney's south are bucking up over plans to force them to start their garbage runs later in the day - claiming it will make the work more dangerous.

Currently the workers, members of the Transport Workers Union, commence at 4.00am. But a new contract commencing this week between Hurstville Council and Cleanaway Waste Peakhurst puts the starting time back to 7.00am.

While the council's position is that it is an issue of noise for residents in the early mornings, for the workers it's an issue of health and safety to both themselves and members of the general public.

They say it will increase the dangers for runners on residential streets during early the early morning peak period.

"In short we believe the choice is one between minimal noise in the early morning one day a week and the serious injury or fatality of a garbage worker, resident, or worse still a school child," TWU state secretary Tony Sheldon says.

At present there is a moratorium in place at all other councils on any change in starting times until a full risk assessment of any change for the health, safety and traffic delays is conducted for both residents and waste workers.

The TWU is arguing that this should be the case at Hurstville as well. Currently, TWU members are refusing to work in accordance with the new contract and are still working the early morning starts.

Despite two attempts to force their compliance in the Industrial Relations Commission, yesterday the Commission acknowledged our concerns and declined to force the issue.

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Issue 63 contents

Interview: Paul Keating's Big Picture
The former Prime Minister is still painting on a broad canvass. He talks to Workers Online about the new economy, fair trade and political chi.

Unions: War in the West
Only six months after signing individual staff contracts, the gloss has worn off for some of BHP's Pilbara iron ore workers.

Environment: Farmers Fudge DNA Dangers
Farmers have missed the chance to have a meaningful debate into the use of genetically modified crops.

International: 'Dot Union' Proposal on the Table
ICANN, the global governing body of Internet domains, has released the following expression of interest in proposing a top-level domain for trade unions

Economics: Edge of the Abyss
Political economist Frank Stilwell argues that a constellation of events gives good reason to be worried about the Australian economy.

History: Taming the Tigers
Prominent labour historian, Dr Ming Chan, is visiting Australia to report on how workers are faring in the new Hong Kong.

Review: Music is Crap
It's already the second half of the first year in the new millenium. Who would have ever predicted a crisis in the popular music industry when we are at such an advanced stage ?

Satire: Last Kosovars Found Behind Couch
State Emergency Services personnel were called to a house in Brighton this morning, where the last five remaining Kosovar refugees have been found wedged behind a couch.

» Unions Lead Ethical Investment Push

» Surfing Good for Productivity - Management Experts

» Third World Conditions For Rural Workers

» Downer's Fiji Muddle Deepens

» Hotel Worker Survey Questions Olympics Preparation

» BHP Holds Gun to Kembla's Head

» A Burning Issue as Joy Campaign Goes National

» Garbos Forced to Ditch Early Start

» Telstra - Making it Sleazier For You

» Inquiry Blows Lid on Long Distance Trucking

» Cab Company Highlights Labor Hire Quandry

» What Olympics Jobs? Asks the AWU

» Republican Elections Called for August

» STOP PRESS: Landmark Legal Ruling on Asbestos