Have you ever gone to bring in your wheelie bin after collection day — only to find it still full?
That’s been the reality for residents across several Melbourne councils this month, as waste workers skipped collections on some streets while continuing service on others.
But this wasn’t a mistake, it was part of a coordinated campaign of protected industrial action.
Now, the dispute is escalating, with a full strike planned for May 5.
Image: Photo by Shane Rounce on Unsplash
Produced By: Moemina Shukur
Featured In Story: Shae McCrystal – Professor of Labour Law at the University of Sydney
First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 28 April 2026