The Lake Macquarie waste collection team has become increasingly concerned with different what is claimed to be inconsistent interpretations of work practices regarding a number of issues. A new manager of this section was appointed approximately twelve months ago and since then a number of our members have been subject to disciplinary action after doing what they claim were accepted work practices as known by their supervisors over many years. Some of these supervisors have now progressed into management roles, but it is alleged now see these tasks which have been in place for years as the wrong way to conduct yourself or to perform your duties.
One significant issue was when a waste collection truck had completed its run, it was to find a place out of the public eye and pass time by filling out their timesheets, etc. Then arrive back at the depot near the appropriate finish time and not early, which is claimed to have been the accepted practice for a long time but now with mobile tracking devices installed on the trucks, this has led to questions being asked.
It is claimed that that there are some who knew of the practice and who worked it themselves are asking questions.
The USU recommended that a meeting be held so the issues could be aired openly and that clarity be given to those involved and consistent work practices be adopted. With the aim being to ensure that the workforce knows what the current operational requirements/ expectations/ rules are now instead of just continuing with historical work practices that in today’s times are outdated.
Some of these included;
*Arrive fit for work, on time and ready for duty.
*Complete required pre-start up checks on vehicles, safety checks and documentation.
*Undertake allocated duties throughout their rostered hours.
*Accurately record all hours worked.
The last Two points were probably the ones which discussion centered around the most. Council made it very clear that the waste truck drivers are engaged for rostered hours not predetermined number of loads, bins or tasks. Lake Macquarie Council, like many other Councils is growing regarding new residences and population and becoming increasingly busier with more traffic on the roads as well so down time should be less of an issue to manage.
The meeting between Council, the USU and our USU members in the Waste Services section took place just over a month ago and it seems to have been reasonably quiet since, there had been a growing uncertainty regarding long term work practices and our long term members and the meeting has made things much clearer for all, the waste drivers are now taking their breaks at the allocated times instead of working through. It is unfortunate that this meeting didn’t take place months ago, as it may have prevented a couple of our USU members in not having had disciplinary action taken against them.
