Transport Workers' Union members working in waste in Adelaide’s north have overwhelmingly endorsed industrial action if their employer, Veolia, is unable to provide a fair and satisfactory offer. Members voted to take industrial action if the Company refused to meet their claims in a Protected Action Ballot which closed today.

 Workers at Veolia provide vital waste management and garbage collection services for residents and businesses in Adelaide’s northern suburbs. Veolia is currently contracted by the Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority (NAWMA), which oversees waste management for the combined councils of the City of Salisbury, City of Playford and Town of Gawler. However, this deal expires on 1 September 2025 with Solo to take over the NAWMA waste management contract.

The change of contract has left members uncertain about their job security and whether the change of contract will jeopardise their entitlements and any pay increases or improved conditions they won in prior Enterprise Agreement negotiations with Veolia.

"Our members in waste work very hard carrying out vital services for communities in the northern suburbs,” said Transport Workers' Union SA/NT Branch Secretary Sam McIntosh. “They need to be properly remunerated for the difficult work that they carry out and they deserve certainty around job security, whether this comes in the form of a reasonable redundancy package, or having their pay and conditions honoured with any change of contract.”

On Monday, 6 January the Union met with Veolia with the intention of finding a conciliated outcome. This afternoon Veolia have provided a revised offer for our members to consider. We will be holding discussions with our members shortly about what the next steps should be.

McIntosh says the role of NAWMA is pivotal in allocating and budgeting for adequate funds to flow through to waste workers, regardless of who holds the contract. He stresses that industrial action is the last resort, “we know how important waste management is to members of the community, but the working conditions of our members in waste is of paramount importance.”

The Union is hopeful that Veolia can provide a fair offer that avoids the need for industrial action, but are adamant that members are prepared to go on strike if they feel the Company’s offer is inadequate.