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Agreement with waste collection truck drivers reached
The Government today (Saturday) reached an agreement with private waste collection truck drivers to end their blockade of the landfills.
At today's meeting with the truck drivers, the Deputy Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Tony Cooper, agreed that a working group comprising representatives from the Government, the truck drivers and waste producers will be formed to discuss the mechanics to introduce the charging scheme.
Charges will not be introduced until a mutually acceptable agreement is reached. The regulations on the charging scheme will go forward in the Legislative Council as scheduled next Wednesday. But the commencement date of charging will not be gazetted until there is an agreement.
In return, the drivers agreed to end their industrial action immediately and will enter into negotiations with the other parties in good faith.
Mr Cooper said: " We are looking forward to some useful and constructive discussions to resolve the payment issue sensibly."
He thanked the Urban Services and Regional Services Departments and other parties concerned for making temporary arrangement to receive refuse during the industrial action by the drivers.
In order to clear the backlog of refuse, the opening hours of the three blockaded landfills, namely Southeast NT, Shuen Wan, and Pillar Point Valley which receive privately collected waste will be extended until midnight today. If necessary, the opening hours of the Southeast NT Landfill will be further extended until the backlog is cleared.
End/Saturday, June 17, 1995
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