Council sanger saga leads to court battle

Alex de Vos
Two GEELONG council workers sacked for accepting a free steak sandwich each have taken their fight to a national independent tribunal.
The court hearing followed strikes across a raft of City of Greater Geelong depots as well as a series of “angry” protests around the region.
Mick Van Beek and Peter Anderson fronted Fair Work Australia on Wednesday to dispute orders from the City, which had sought an injunction against its staff taking industrial strike action.
Australian Services Union branch secretary Brian Parkinson told the Independent on Wednesday afternoon that the organisation was still fighting to reinstate the two sacked workers.
“We’re still battling (at Fair Work Australia) and still fighting for them to be reinstated,” Mr Parkinson said.
On Tuesday night hundreds of union members stormed a council meeting for the second time in two weeks to support the two men. Earlier in the day hundreds of workers walked off the job before gathering at the men’s former workplace in Drysdale.
City of Greater Geelong chief executive officer Stephen Griffen said council had sought “immediate” intervention to stop “the unprotected union action”.
“This week’s union actions go against accepted industrial process,” Mr Griffin said.
“The City is happy to abide by the Fair Work Australia process and we believe the unions should do the same to ensure that ordinary residents are not inconvenienced.”
Last week the City offered Mr Van Beek his job back on the condition Mr Anderson walked away with a pay-out.
But Mr Van Beek refused to accept his job back if Peter Anderson rejected the pay-out offer. Mr Anderson refused the deal, insisting the City gave his job back.
“It’s all in or none at all,” Mr Van Beek said.
City Hall gave marching orders to Mr Van Beek and Mr Anderson after they filled two potholes at Leopold Sportsman’s Club in November without orders from superiors.
The men said they acted at the request of a club manager who was worried the potholes were a safety threat to elderly patrons.
The men said the club’s manager gave the pair steak sandwiches as a reward.
The City sacked both men after a whistleblower dobbed them in for accepting the sandwiches.
The two-day hearing was continuing when the Independent went to press.