Sydney Water workers' strike stink over job cuts

Updated July 05, 2012
ABC News.

Sydney Water Corporation workers have walked off the job over fears of more job cuts and falling standards because of the shrinking workforce.   

The Australian Services Union says 330 jobs have already been cut in the past 12 months, and the New South Wales Government is pressuring management to cut more.   

About 1,200 workers downed tools for the four-hour protected industrial action.

The union organised a rally for the workers in Sydney's west at Parramatta Stadium.

ASU secretary Sally McManus says the cuts have already affected standards.

"Our members are turning up to people's houses where the sewage has been running for hours and hours and hours," she said.

"We've seen water pipes where people just turn off the water rather than fix it because of this cost cutting, and so we believe that we're going to have to fight if we want to maintain Sydney Water's standards.   

"I expect workers will walk out of today with whole plans for further ongoing industrial action, right through winter and up to Christmas if necessary.

"Really it's do or die for us. We either take a stand now or we see our colleagues lose their jobs."   

Sydney Water says it is continuing negotiations for a new enterprise agreement, and conditions under the current agreement far exceed industry standards.

Managing director Kevin Young says worker expectations must fit with what Sydney Water can charge, as set by the state's Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.

"IPART has set us a tough hurdle for the future, we need to make $173 million worth of operational savings in the next four years," he said.

Mr Young also disputes the claims of a fall in service quality, saying customer complaints have fallen 20 per cent.

Get rid of them all. Replace them with people who want to work.