Qld council staff sue over 'serial sleaze'

Four former council workers have launched damages claims worth $1 million in Queensland over alleged sexual harassment by a foreman.

The four tradesmen claim they were sacked by the Gold Coast City Council after complaining about unwanted sexual comments and behaviour directed at them by the male supervisor at their depot.

Lawyer Bruce Simmonds says the men had suffered considerable mental anguish and have filed damages claims with the Anti-Discrimination Commission and WorkCover seeking a combined $1 million.

Allegations against the men's foreman include that he stuck his tongue in the men's ears, felt the inside of their legs and implied they liked to have sex with men.

Mr Simmonds said there were multiple instances of inappropriate touching, grabbing or rubbing the men's buttocks, and repeated sexual innuendo.

Complaints to a superior allegedly fell on deaf ears and all four were sacked within the past month, though other reasons were given.

"There seems to have been a weird and bizarre culture within the Gold Coast City Council to protect a serial sleaze," Mr Simmonds said.

The men, aged from their 20s to their 50s, are seeking more than $200,000 each in damages in claims against the council and their supervisor.

In their WorkCover claims the men also allege they were exposed to multiple unsafe systems at work, as well as the "unreasonable management action".

So far no date has been set for a court hearing.

A Gold Coast City Council spokeswoman said the council intends to strongly contest the allegations.