Strike action goes on

STRIKE action at the Springvale and Bangholme cemeteries is continuing.
A pay and conditions dispute between the Australian Workers Union (AWU) and Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) has prompted rolling stoppages at Springvale Botanical Cemetery and Bunurong Memorial Park since 16 August.
AWU Victorian secretary Ben Davis said the parties met on 18 September but “didn’t get a lot of progress”.
“(But) we have made a fair bit of ground in the last few weeks,” he said.
“There’s only a few issues outstanding now.
“The industrial action is still occurring.”
SMCT CEO Jonathon Tribe said families had been waiting up to 10 days to bury loved ones instead of three to five due to the action.
Mr Davis has denied these claims.