Brisbane garbos reject offer
By Bill Mason
BRISBANE — Brisbane garbage collectors are continuing to campaign for a better redundancy deal when one-person collection is introduced next July.
Transport Workers Union state secretary Hughie Williams said on November 8 that the package had been rejected by his members and they would keep up their fight for more generous payments.
"I'm amazed that the lord mayor [Jim Soorley] has decided to take this matter to full council and seek the support of the Liberal Party.
"I didn't think that I would ever see the day when a Labor politician would seek the assistance of the Liberal organisation to cause harm and financial disability to union members", Williams said.
The Brisbane City Council are voting on a plan for ex-gratia payments of four weeks for each year of service since 1984 to collectors unable to find another job by July, or two weeks for each year for those who find alternative work.