By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
GREATER Dandenong Council has approached Fair Work Australia to try to lift work bans on emptying bins on Springvale and Dandenong’s sullied streets.
The council’s workers have enforced bans on mowing lawns and preparing cricket pitches in reaction to a 3.5 per cent pay rise offer from the council.
Last week, the ASU thwarted the council’s attempt to use contracted labour to clean the rubbish-strewn streets.
In a statement this afternoon, chief executive John Bennie said the council was awaiting the industrial tribunal’s advice on lifting the bans ahead of a staff vote on its pay offer on October 17-23.
ASU organiser James Weissmann said he believed the council had not yet made a formal application to FWA.
‘‘The ASU will not be lifting the bans. We’ve been in discussions with our members involved in the bans and they will not be lifted.’’
He believed the council was only trying to lift the bans relating to Springvale’s main shopping strip on Springvale Road and outside Dandenong’s council offices.
It is believed the council met with Australian Services Union representatives this afternoon to break the impasse relating to a pay dispute.
