Ipswich residents will have their bins collected as normal ahead of Christmas after Ipswich City Council and three unions representing a third of council’s workforce reached an in-principle agreement on Friday.
Ipswich City Council Acting Chief Executive Officer Matt Smith said council invited the Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy, Industrial Union, Australian Workers’ Union and the Transport Workers’ Union back to the bargaining table on Friday morning.
“This protected industrial action has had a significant impact on Ipswich residents. Council believes it is unfair that residents have been left with the consequences of missed bin services for multiple days right before Christmas,” Mr Smith said.
“I’m pleased that after meeting on Friday, we have reached new three-year bargaining agreements for Local Government Employees and Resource Recovery Drivers.
“These new agreements will offer a 13.75 per cent wage increase over three years – 5 per cent in the first two years, and 3.75 per cent in the final year.
“This represents an increase of 1 per cent by council on its previous bargaining position.
“The agreements also include a transition to a 36.25 hour working week by 1 July 2026.
“I’m pleased that council has been able to bring this to a resolution before Christmas through good faith negotiation with the unions.
“Residents across Ipswich can now expect to see all their bins collected as normal in the days ahead.
“I’m also pleased that this in-principle agreement ensures employees covered by the agreements are given some certainty days before Christmas.
“Residents have rightly been frustrated that this industrial action has happened just before Christmas. We thank them for their patience and understanding.
“We will continue to carry out catch-up collection services in suburbs affected by strike action in the lead-up to Christmas.
“We ask residents in suburbs affected by industrial action over the past two Fridays, and on Tuesday of this week, to leave their bins on the kerb until collected.
“From Monday, residents can leave out their bins as per their usual collection schedule.”
