600 Newcastle/Wollongong schools hit

Date: 04 August 2004

Around 600 school sites have been hit by walkouts in Newcastle and Wollongong today as cleaners show their support for a rolling stoppages campaign by the LHMU Cleaners Union.

Today's stoppage comes on top of the 160 Western Sydney school sites which were shutdown by walkouts yesterday.

Rolling stoppages across NSW are planned for the next few weeks, to let the community know about the Labor Government's plans to downgrade cleaning standards in our schools.

" The support we are getting clearly demonstrates to Bob Carr the real anger among workers that a Labor Government is attacking low-wage workers," Annie Owens, LHMU Cleaners Union State Secretary said today.

" We also want school parents to understand that Bob Carr expects them to help him stretch his Budget, by volunteering to clean classrooms and playgrounds.

" The Premier wants to cut back jobs by asking you to come in after work, or on the weekends, to clean windows and playgrounds.

" Bob Carr's policies are attacking a workforce made up largely of older women and recent immigrants - many of whom are worried about being left unemployed and on the dole if these plans succeed.

" Labor Governments should be promoting policies to protect vulnerable workers - not attack them.

" Labor Governments should not be relying on parent volunteers cleaning schools to help out Government Budgets."

The LHMU proudly represents around 130,000 hard working women and men throughout Australia

For more info:

Annie Owens, NSW LHMU Cleaners Union State Secretary, 8204 7204 or 0425 214 881

For further information

Contact:	Andrew Casey
Union:	Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union
Phone:	8204 7206
Fax:	92821 4480
Email:	andrewc@lhmu.org.au
WWW:	http://www.lhmu.org.au/

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