By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
PARK lawns and public rubbish bins will continue to be neglected as Greater Dandenong Council staff work bans extend into a third consecutive week.
The work bans, as well as a two-hour stop-work rally in Dandenong next Tuesday, are part of a pay dispute between the council management and staff, represented by the Australian Services Union.
ASU organiser James Weissmann said the council had not moved in its pay offer of an annual 3.5 per cent rise for three years, including a parking fee subsidy.
Mr Weissmann said the union was seeking 12.5 per cent over three years and a more generous parking subsidy for workers moving to $65 million offices in central Dandenong.
With public bins expected to overflow with rubbish from grand final weekend, Mr Weissmann said “we’re expecting the public to be understanding on this matter”.
Greater Dandenong chief executive John Bennie said the work bans were causing overflowing rubbish bins in shopping centres and streets.
“At the moment, the parks look in pretty good condition but shopping centres are suffering a bit,” he said last week.
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