Central Coast Council has welcomed the decision by Remondis drivers to reverse their planned stop work meeting for today.

Council understands the dispute between the drivers, represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and Council’s waste contractor, Remondis, relates to their current enterprise agreement.

Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said he was pleased the parties involved had agreed to come to the negotiating table as it is important to ensure essential waste services to Central Coast residents are maintained.

“Council is not a party to these proceedings.  We contract Remondis to deliver waste services to our residents and we expect that service to be delivered,” Mr Reynolds said.

“Remondis have acted quickly to stave off this potential action which could have affected bin services for a number of residents, and I am pleased the drivers are willing to return to the negotiating table.

“This is where the TWU’s focus needs to be, on these negotiations and not on Council’s waste tender process.

“We have met with them on several occasions and made it clear our role is to ensure our 331,000 residents get the most reliable and best waste services in the next waste contract that we sign.”

The current contract with Remondis runs until end of January 2018.  Council is currently finalising tender documents to deliver services beyond January 2018. The tender documents are expected to be released in the next month.