At Cleanaway sites around the country, the TWU will conduct vigils to remember the workers killed at the company, with a staggering five deaths in the last two years, and eight since mid-2022, as unions mark Workers' Memorial Day.
The vigils come as TWU safety inspections reveal horrific safety conditions at the company including:
- Biological hazards including broken blood samples as well as urine samples spilled on the floor, used syringes left on top of medical bins
- Inadequate emergency procedures including blocked fire exits and deteriorated signage
- Out-of-date spill kits, fire extinguishers and first aid devices
- Significant vehicle maintenance issues including mirrors sticky-taped to vehicles
Despite the extensive and deadly safety issues at Cleanaway, CEO Mark Schubert took home a whopping $4.2 million last financial year, even after his annual bonus was docked by 30% over worker deaths and an increase in on site injuries.
At Cleanaway's AGM last year, 40% voted against executive pay over "deteriorating safety performance and lack of appropriate accountability."
With bargains commencing at Cleanaway around the country this year, thousands of waste workers will have the potential right to take protected industrial action this year if the company refuses to lift its deadly standards.
With the TWU in NSW today launching a case in the Industrial Relations Commission over the company's failure to let union officials conduct safety inspections, workers are calling on Cleanaway to act on safety or face further action.
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said:
"All worker deaths are preventable, and the fact that we have seen five workers killed at Cleanaway in just two years is not just tragic, it is a safety crisis.
"It is absolutely appalling that you can have a string of workers killed under your watch as CEO, and still go home with over $4 million for the year. It's not only a deadly workplace: we've seen workers under deplorable conditions, from exposure to biological hazards to driving trucks with their mirrors literally sticky-taped on.
"Today we remember the workers killed at Cleanaway, and we think of their families and their communities. But we are also sending a message loud and clear: if Cleanaway refuses to lift safety and standards around the country, we will force it to. We cannot see another worker killed at this company, and workers are prepared to do what it takes to make sure of that."
