MEDIA RELEASE 18 07 06

“The work we do is important and we want to send the message loud and clear that it’s not ok to ignore us.” - Cleaner and SFWU delegate Sue Lafaele.

Cleaners defend workers rights

On Thursday cleaners in Auckland, Wellington and around Australia will be joining together to defend workers rights and send a message to those in the cleaning industry who won’t listen to cleaners’ concerns.

In Auckland, Wellington and all over Australia, cleaners will rally as part of their global ‘Clean Start: Fair Deal for Cleaners’ campaign.

Actions will focus on local building owners who have refused to meet with cleaners to talk about the way cleaners are treated in the buildings they own.

“We’re disappointed that some local owners are failing to follow the lead of the multi-national building owners such as AMP and Macquarie Bank who have agreed to treat cleaners with respect and dignity,” said John Ryall, National Secretary of the NZ union for cleaners, the Service & Food Workers Union, Nga Ringa Tota.

“The work we do is important and we want to send the message loud and clear that it’s not ok to ignore us,” said cleaner and SFWU delegate Sue Lafaele.

In Wellington, cleaners will join with the ‘Work Rights, Our Right’ protest at Parliament to campaign against National’s ‘no rights for new workers’ bill (the 90-day bill).

Cleaners want to highlight the links between this anti-worker bill and John Howard’s new ‘Work Choices’ legisation in Australia.

“Cleaners we are campaigning with in Australia are suffering under these new laws. They work long, unsociable hours. Their workloads are unrealistic and jobs are unstable. The last thing cleaners need in Australia, or in New Zealand, is the added insult of their basic rights at work being attacked,” said Mr Ryall.

Cleaners call on all workers and community members to support workers rights by attending tomorrow’s protest actions.

Thursday 20th July

Auckland: Meet outside Britomart (in front of Starbucks) at 12.30pm.

Wellington: Rally coincides with the ‘Work Rights, Our Right!’ campaign outside parliament at 12noon.

ENDS

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