Stink over Sydney zoo pay deal

Taronga zoo is north of Sydney harbour

Sydney zoo keepers have announced they will stop clearing up animal dung in a protest over wages.

Keepers at the Taronga zoo are refusing to clear up until they are awarded a 3% pay rise negotiated for all public sector workers with the New South Wales government.

Something stinks at the zoo

Russ Collison, union secretary

The Australian Workers' Union state secretary for New South Wales, Russ Collison, said that what had angered workers was the fact managers had taken the pay rise, but denied it to the work force.

"Something stinks at the zoo and, come tomorrow, the public will be able to witness it for themselves," Mr Collison said.

The zoo's management said it would be business as usual over the weekend.

The zoo had "adequate holding facilities" for keeping animal waste without disturbing visitors, the zoo's chief executive Stephen Rees said in a statement.

The zoo's management said it had not passed on the pay rise to staff because they had failed to meet productivity targets.