United Voice News
ACT "winner" of 2010 Golden Toilet Brush Award
ACT cleaners today announced the winner of the 2010 Golden Toilet Brush Award at annual International Cleaners’ Day celebrations in Canberra. The 2010 Golden Toilet Brush Award winner is Broadlex Cleaning Australia.
Lyndal Ryan, ACT Branch Secretary of LHMU, the cleaners’ union, says “Broadlex Cleaning Australia has won this year’s Golden Toilet Brush Award because of its failure to sign the Clean Start Agreement after three long years of being asked to improve the wages and conditions of their cleaners.
“Unfortunately, Broadlex is a worthy winner of the 2010 Golden Toilet Brush Award. It has the ignominious honour of being the first contractor to be awarded the Award in two states. As in the ACT, NSW cleaners have awarded their 2010 Golden Toilet Brush Award to Broadlex.
“Broadlex has thumbed its nose at the rest of the cleaning industry by refusing to sign the Clean Start Agreement. ACT cleaners are angry and disappointed that because of this refusal Broadlex has been awarded contracts on the basis of inferior wages and conditions.
“In the coming twelve months Canberra cleaners will redouble efforts to have Broadlex sign the Agreement. This will include embarking on a building owner and manager education programme to ensure that when clients accept a contract price from Broadlex they understand the negative implications this has for the cleaners in their buildings.
“Cleaning is hard work. Despite this, many cleaners have to juggle two or three jobs to earn enough for their families. Cleaners employed by Broadlex shouldn’t be missing out on the better pay and working conditions already enjoyed by cleaners employed by responsible contractors.
“It’s not too late for Broadlex to make a clean start. I hope they take to heart the message cleaners have sent to them today and come on board Clean Start like the majority of contractors in Canberra and in CBD’s around Australia,” says Lyndal Ryan.
International Cleaners’ Day is celebrated on 15 June every year in the United States, New Zealand and capital cities around Australia.
Read more information on International Cleaners Day 2010
