Cleaners take their message to Wellington's streets
Press Release – Service and Food Workers Union
24 May 2006
Tomorrow (Thursday 25th May) cleaners will be taking their message about a Clean Start for the property services
industry to the streets of Wellington. After making a presentation to the Industrial Relations Select Committee about
the protection of vulnerable workers in successive contracting situations, cleaners will march from parliament and make
their voices heard outside the buildings they clean in The Terrace.
"Building owners need to take responsibility for the standard of cleaning done in their buildings. Cleaners need to earn
enough to support their families," Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota, National Secretary, John Ryall, said
today. "That's why cleaners across Australia and New Zealand have embarked on a campaign 'Clean Start – Fair Deal for
Cleaners'."
Rosa Faleniko has worked as a cleaner for ten years and relies on a government family assistance package just to cover
the costs of living. Between 1996 and 2006 Rosa's pay rate has increased by only 80 cents so she now earns $10.95 an
hour. That's not good enough.
"Please pay me a decent wage so that I can get my family off being reliant on benefits. I just want to earn enough to
support my family" said Wellington cleaner Rosa Faleniko.
Cleaners say it's time for building owners and contractors to adopt the Clean Start principles and introduce a fair deal
to the property industry.
The public can support the Clean Start petition and help us fight for better standards of office cleaning and good jobs
for cleaners.
-
Action details:
Cleaners will be outside Parliament from 10am for the Select Committee hearing and will march to The Terrace around
11am. They will be outside commercial buildings on The Terrace between around 11.15am and 12.30pm.
ENDS