1 April 2009

Cleaners take to the streets outside Parliament to highlight low wages

Low paid workers took to the streets outside Parliament today to remind politicians that at a time when there are tax cuts for some people, low wages still exist for many thousands of New Zealanders.

"With cleaners typically paid on or just above the minimum wage, the rally was a timely reminder that while many people fear a recession coming, many low paid workers are effectively living in a recession already, earning poverty wages." said SFWU National Secretary, John Ryall.

Cleaners in public hospitals already earn a minimum of $14.62 an hour, and directly-employed school cleaners will be paid the same rate from 1 July this year. In comparison cleaners working in central city buildings and Government departments are paid just $12.55 an hour - a mere 5 cents above the new statutory minimum wage.

Notes for editors

This month marks the third anniversary of the launch of CLEAN START, a Trans-Tasman campaign promoting a better deal for cleaners.

The campaign has seen many advances for cleaners in New Zealand, including:

• The signing of 'Principles for a Sustainable Property Services Industry' by the Government, Property Council, Building Service Contractors and the Service and Food Workers Union (SFWU).

• A commitment by these parties to work together to create better jobs in the cleaning industry, including more full-time work, more training and greater awareness of health and safety.

• A minimum pay rate of $14.62 per hour for directly-employed school cleaners (from 1 July this year).

• A minimum pay rate of $14.62 per hour for public hospital cleaners.

But cleaners working in central city buildings and Government departments are still paid just $12.55 an hour. In Australia cleaners working in the CBDs in major cities are employed on union agreements that contain rates of over AUD$20 per hour.

ENDS

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