Breakthru cleaners’ fair deal fight

Date: 25 September 2008

The LHMU - The cleaners' union - today (25 September) announced a breakthrough for office cleaners in the Clean Start campaign. Rose Cleaning Services, one of the ACT's top five cleaning companies, has just signed the Clean Start Collective Agreement for fair wages and working conditions for cleaners.

"After a two year campaign Clean Start is finally becoming a reality for Australia's 10,000 office cleaners," says Louise Tarrant, LHMU National Secretary.

"This is a victory for cleaners. It is their first ever industry agreement and will bring fundamental changes to their working lives. This is a huge step in the fight to end poverty for cleaners.

Phillip Arcidiacono, Director of Rose Cleaning Services, says "Someone had to be first to sign on to the Clean Start Collective Agreement. We're proud it was our Company because it's the right thing to do by cleaners."

The Agreement delivers four hour minimum shifts, job security at change of contract and significant wage increases to office cleaners.

Louise Tarrant says "Cleaners began the Clean Start campaign two years ago. In that time cleaners' working lives have continued to be a struggle. We're delighted that contractors have come to the negotiation table. We are now seeing an overwhelmingly positive response by cleaning contractors to the Clean Start Collective Agreement.

"The only discordant note that is emerging comes from The Menzies Group of Companies. Menzies has firmly rejected the Collective Agreement process. They have refused to consider wage increases for their cleaners. This is an about face by Menzies who only last year signed on to the Responsible Contracting Principles, committing them to collective bargaining."

For further information

Contact:	Nada Vlatko
Union:	LHMU
Contact Mobile:	0425 242 691
WWW:	http://www.lhmu.org.au/

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