Rubbish is set to pile up at schools and businesses in Melbourne’s west and north due to a union strike against Cleanaway.

Transport Workers Union members have voted to stop work for two hours on Thursday, and again next Tuesday, due to an enterprise agreement dispute that’s been ongoing for almost 12 months.

Branch Secretary Transport Workers Union Victoria & Tasmania, Mike McNess, says it’s “a dispute over wording”.

“What we’ve just found in recent times is that Cleanaway has started to adjust the wording contained in the agreement without consultation and without due process,” he told Tony Jones, filling in for Neil Mitchell.

“Cleanaway are now looking to reduce wording around consultation, reduce wording around representation in the agreement, as well as increasing probationary periods indefinitely and a number of unpaid conditions around training and unqualified training.

“They’re just looking to adjust the agreement without going through the due process and reduce the conditions contained in the agreement.

The strike will impact to Cleanaway commercial and industrial operations based out of Tullamarine.

Schools and businesses in the Moonee Valley, Moreland, Hume, Brimbank, Wyndham and Banyule council areas.

Residential rubbish collection will not be impacted at this stage, but Mr McNess says there are indications Cleanaway is moving to change the wording in other agreements too.

“We are seeing some signs of Cleanaway taking this approach … across some of the other Victorian contracts,” he said.

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