LHMU News
Cleaners protest for fair deal from ACT Government
Canberra cleaners and their supporters will protest today about the failure of the ACT Government to introduce a fair contracting system for cleaning ACT Government Schools.
Canberra’s dirty secret - low paid migrant workforce
Lyndal Ryan, ACT Branch Secretary of the LHMU, the cleaners’ union says:
“School cleaners are bitterly disappointed the ACT Government has not delivered a fair deal for school cleaners despite the public support for the Clean Start campaign by the Minister for Industrial Relations and Education Andrew Barr.
“Two years ago cleaners were delighted when Andrew Barr launched the Clean Start Fair Deal for Cleaners campaign.
“Unfortunately, 400 school cleaners are still waiting for the ACT Government to introduce a long overdue new contracting system to give them fair working conditions and wages.
“Most of these cleaners are women from non-English speaking backgrounds. They shouldn't be paid poverty level wages, with unrealistic workloads and unfair working conditions. They deserve a contracting system which delivers:
- job security at change of contract time
- annual wage increases in line with community standards
- an end to the practice of being stood down without pay during school holidays
- improved job safety with two days paid training per year
“Two years after the Minister launched the Clean Start campaign is long enough to wait.
“That’s why tomorrow ACT cleaners and their supporters will mark the second anniversary of the Clean Start campaign with a protest rally and march.
“It's time for Andrew Barr to introduce the new contracting system. It's time he did the right thing by the cleaners who keep our schools clean and hygienic for Canberra's children.”
