Zoo workers win 'poo allowance'

Sydney Zoo workers have won the right to a pay bonus when their job involves handling animal faeces after a landmark ruling by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.

The win ends the long-running Zoo Poo Dispute which began last August over an allowance payable to workers who handle animal faeces at Taronga Zoo.

The Zoo stopped paying the allowance in July 2002, resulting in bans being placed on the removal of animal faeces from the zoo by the workers.

This decision from Deputy President Sams forces the Zoo to pay workers the allowance whenever they handle animal or human waste.

The Zoo argued the allowance was only payable when workers were handling human waste.

Australian Workers' Union NSW branch secretary Russ Collision said the decision was significant because it forms a precedent for all public sector workers who handle animal waste.

"This is not pleasant work and it is appropriate that it is recognised as duties beyond the general" Mr Collison said.

"I congratulate the AWU members for standing firm during this long-running stink."