Garbage strikes have been going on as long as there have been garbage truck drivers, and The Canberra Times reported on this day 48 years ago of another interruption to the capital's rubbish collection.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Six garbage truck crews went on strike after the driver of one of the trucks was allegedly assaulted by police.
The driver, Mr Roy Faull, of Ainslie, said he had been assaulted after two policemen approached him as he was leaving the RSL Club at Phillip. The police officers were investigating a theft of goods from premises in Civic.
They had asked him where they could find another garbage truck driver. As he was getting into his truck, Mr Faull alleged that a policeman had grabbed his shoulder.
He had turned around and the policeman had allegedly hit him on the left side of his face. His T-shirt had been torn in the incident. Mr Faull later radioed crews of five other trucks.
The trucks, including one nightcart, drove to the Phillip police station. The crews decided to go on strike, left the five trucks at the station and drove the nightcart into Civic.
