WASTE SERVICES workers at the City of Sydney have this morning walked off the job in response to management’s refusal to consult with them over a proposal to outsource household garbage collection to a private contractor without an open tender process.

Almost 100 waste services staff voted to immediately stop work this morning after management refused to answer their questions or undertake genuine consultation regarding the proposal to hand over the work to private contractor Cleanaway.

Workers had been seeking meetings with management for several weeks in an attempt to resolve the dispute, before being told this morning that they would not have their questions answered.

The United Services Union said the outsourcing proposal was deeply flawed and had caused a great deal of angst and uncertainty among the City of Sydney’s loyal workforce.

“Workers are concerned by this plan which would see a private contractor take over all household garbage collection across the city without an open and transparent tender process or expressions of interest,” USU general secretary Graeme Kelly OAM said.

“Workers have spent weeks seeking a meeting with management to discuss this proposal, and when it finally took place they were simply told their questions would not be answered and no negotiation would be entered into.

“Waste services workers feel they have been left with no choice but to stop work in an effort to force the City of Sydney to undertake genuine consultation with them.”

Mr Kelly said there were serious concerns about the proposal, the impacts on workers and the community, and the lack of transparency involved in the multi-million dollar contract.

“A proposal that hands over a huge contract to a private company without a tender process or open expressions of interest should ring alarm bells for every ratepayer in the City of Sydney,” Mr Kelly said.

“Management has refused to answer whether this proposal is about cutting costs or even state that it would be cheaper than retaining the current workforce.

“For ratepayers, this plan would mean the loss of the effective and efficient council waste services members who go out of their way every day for the residents of the City of Sydney.

“Our members know their local community, they treat residents with respect, and over many years of dedicated work they have come to know those that need special help.

“If the City of Sydney takes the easy road of contracting out garbage services instead of retaining a well-trained, passionate, committed workforce, the community will be left the poorer for it.”

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MORE THAN 150 working women have converged on Devonport for the bi-annual Women in Male Dominated Occupations and Industries conference, which aims to encourage recruitment, retention, and improved conditions for women.

Over more than 20 years, this affirmative action initiative of the trade union movement has helped inspire hundreds of women and given them the tools needed to enter, advance, and thrive as a minority in some of the toughest workplaces around.

The three day conference will feature talks by high-profile women, including Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus and Member for Franklin Julie Collins.

Maritime Union of Australia National Divisional Womens Officer Mich-Elle Myers said the WIMDOI network had been a vital resource that had helped many women advance in industries once considered “men’s work”.

“In countless industries and occupations that were once considered ‘men’s work’, women are making huge inroads,” Ms Myers said.

“WIMDOI is about providing the support, encouragement, mentoring, and assistance that is needed to encourage more women to enter these industries.

“Run by women trade unionists, we focus on the steps needed to break down barriers, offer support, improve retention, and ensure women receive the same wages and conditions as their male counterparts through collective action.

“Members of WIMDOI have gone on to become highly successful in some of the toughest workplaces around as a result of the support and encouragement of the network.

“Others have become leaders of our unions, using their skills and experience to deliver better outcomes for everyone working in their industries.”

The Spirit of Wimdoi Conference is being held from November 12 to 14 at the Paranaple convention centre in Devonport.

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THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell has called for regulatory reform in the franchising sector that "encourages genuine cooperation between franchisors and franchisees and effectively punishes bad behaviour".

Ms Carnell said the Parliamentary Joint Committee report, Fairness in Franchising, highlighted a systemic lack of transparency and accountability in franchising and a breakdown in the operating relationship of many franchise models.

“One of the services we offer is assistance with franchising disputes, and we hear firsthand the issues that are affecting franchisees and franchisors every day”, Ms Carnell said.. 

“There is a need for urgent action in reforming the franchising sector to create a level playing field for franchises and franchisors.

“The franchising sector is worth more than $180 billion to the Australian economy and the 97,000 franchised businesses in Australia employ close to 600,000 people," she said.

“This is why it is important to strike the right balance between regulation and allowing small businesses to grow and prosper.”

The Federal Government has opened the next stage of consultation on the future regulation of the sector and is seeking feedback on the draft Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) by December 6, 2019.

“The release of the RIS gives the franchising sector the chance to create meaningful reform -- it’s critical that small businesses in the franchising sector get involved in this consultation process to ensure their voice is heard,” Ms Carnell said. 

“Small businesses that want to have their say on the future of the franchising sector can access the RIS online and make a submission.

“It is essential we see effective and timely reform in the franchising sector that is squarely focussed on fairness and creating mutually beneficial business relationships.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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THE iQ Group Global has announced its equity crowd-sourced funding platform Capital Labs has launched a new investment offer, driving a new era in Australian Healthcare.

One of the first ASIC authorised equity crowd-sourced funding (CSF) platforms in Australia, Capital Labs only partners with companies launching technology and innovations that have a positive impact on Australia’s future. For investors, Capital Labs provides access to early-stage retail investment opportunities in innovative companies and technologies in a variety of sectors for as little as $100.

Capital Labs is excited to announce its partnership with Greenfield MC Global, a medicinal cannabis enterprise focused on the development and distribution of pharmaceutical-grade medicinal cannabis products for the Asia Pacific region.

“At Greenfield MC Global, we strive to help shape this new era in patient care,” Greenfield MC Global chairmand and president Arjun Chhabra said.

“We are delighted to partner with Capital Labs to invite retail investors, who believe it’s time for change in Australia and the Asia Pacific, to participate in this raise,” he said.

Part of bioscience investment enterprise The iQ Group Global, Capital Labs backs innovative companies with a unique full-service crowdfunding raise offering, including investment banking, marketing and advisory services.

George Syrmalis,  iQ Group Global CEO, said the offer aligns with the core mission of Capital Labs.

“Capital Labs is a platform for Australians who believe in investing in positive change,” Dr Syrmalis said.

“Providing retail investors the opportunity to fund companies bringing meaningful innovations to market in sectors alongside life science, Capital Labs exemplifies our commitment to innovation,” he said.

The Greenfield MC Global offer is live now, closing on December 12, 2019. 

https://capitallabs.com/greenfieldmc  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXJMNvRF_gg&feature=emb_title

About The iQ Group Global

The iQ Group Global is a group of companies that find, fund and develop bioscience discoveries to create life-changing medical innovations. The group’s flagship innovation is the Saliva Glucose Biosensor, the first non-invasive replacement for finger-prick blood glucose testing for people living with diabetes. www.theiqgroupglobal.com.

About Greenfield MC Global

Greenfield MC Global is a licensed medicinal cannabis importer and distributor in Australia, with expanding operations in cultivation, research and distribution in New Zealand, South Korea, the Philippines and other Asia-Pacific markets.

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