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Cleaners win job security campaignDate: 22 September 2004
NSW LHMU Cleaners Union members have won their important job security campaign for low-wage contract workers. Nearly 7000 school cleaners can start school holidays knowing their jobs are secure, following a re-vamped offer from the State Government. The union will hold report back meetings with members across the state, early in Term 4, to communicate this important breakthrough in the three-month long cleaners dispute. The LHMU is sending letters today to all union members outlining the win. " We are reporting to our union members the contents of a letter faxed to us last night by the State Government - and will hold local meeting across the State for all cleaners once the school holidays are completed," Annie Owens, LHMU NSW Secretary, said today.
Jobs offer based on current hours" Most importantly all cleaners will receive an offer of a job based on their current hours." We welcome this solution to an issue which was of great concern to the nearly 7000 hard-working cleaners employed in State schools, TAFE colleges and government offices," Annie Owens said. " We have defended every vital issue promoted by our members in this campaign.
Still issues to be talked through" There are still some issues to be talked through, including safeguarding the jobs of cleaners in non- education facilities, if the relevant Department decides to opt-out of the contract. During the report-back meetings we will discuss with members a number of alternative strategies." And we believe this result can also meet the State Government's concerns, ensuring contractors provide an efficient and effective service to our school system, to our TAFE colleges and in government offices. " The union has also agreed to hold further constructive talks with senior Government and Departmental officials about on-going concerns, which both sides have, about Occupational Health and Safety in the workplace.
Special conference" Because the struggle to defend cleaners rights is constant, and on-going, the union has decided to call a special conference in December on the role of cleaners in helping to create a safe and healthy school environment," Annie Owens said." We will invite cleaners to stand up and speak about their issues. " The union will also invite key stakeholders - parents, teachers, occupational health specialists, asthma groups, Government Departments, as well as cleaning contractors who are considering putting in a tender for the 2005 contract - to hear the voice of cleaners. " We want everyone to join with us to discuss all the issues. We believe they should concern all of us if we are to deliver safe workplaces and healthy schools.
Activist cleaners. Growing union" Hundreds of activist cleaners in schools, TAFEs and Government offices across the State have got behind this campaign. And hundreds more cleaners joined the LHMU because they saw the importance of this campaign, and saw a union prepared to make a stand." None of these cleaners wants the union to rest. All of our membership wants us to continue, united and committed, to work for better hours, better working conditions and better pay packets.
Just cause for respect and decency" We know our cause is just," Annie Owens said. " We are, after all, talking about working people earning just $13.50 an hour; working people who race through classrooms to make them clean and healthy for staff and students." We know we can campaign to win respect and a real voice for change for low-wage workers across this State. But we also know we still have a long, long way to go to deliver decency." Community supportUnion members across the State are aware that the campaign was helped by the many members of the community who showed their support for the cleaners. More than 2000 people sent e-mails to Premier Carr expressing their support for LHMU members." To the local P&Cs, the teachers, fellow unionists, the clergy, the leaders of ethnic community groups and the opinion leaders in this State all we can say is : thanks for your open support," Annie Owens said.
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