United Voice News
Cleaners at Newcastle University face cuts
The LHMU, the cleaners' union, has today launched a community supported campaign to demand the University of Newcastle reverse its decision to cut funding to its cleaning contract by 25%.
As part of the university's spending cuts, the University of Newcastle has revealed it will slash $1m from its cleaning budget – but it still expects the same level of service.
Annette Tagg, a cleaner at Newcastle University and LHMU delegate, says she doesn't know how the cleaners are going to be able to maintain cleaning standards at the university. ‘There's no way it can be done. There'll be more work to be done with less time to do it in.'
The University has told cleaners it won't be using casual staff to cover people on sick leave. Instead permanent staff will have to come in early to cover their shifts.
'The standard is just not going to be there and there is nothing we can do about it. For example, it means the students' toilets won't be as clean as they should be, areas with oil (such as the engineering building) won't be cleaned properly, and ceramics classes would be dustier,' Annette says.
'Our safety will also be compromised because it means we are going to be pushing it ourselves more to do things because they expect things to be at that standard. We'll just have to do what we can.'
Mel Gatfield, LHMU NSW Branch Assistant Secretary, says the cuts could mean that up to 40 cleaners would be out of a job. That's 40 local jobs at risk. 'We ask that the University maintains its commitment to the local community by continuing to offer fair reasonable employment for local people.'
Mel says cleaners are already working hard to maintain the high standards expected. 'Essentially, they can't be expected to clean the whole university in 25% less time. These changes will result in work intensification, and potentially unsafe work practices.'
The CPSU, NTEU and the National Union of Students at the University of Newcastle are backing the cleaners' campaign.
Download the campaign flyer to forward to all your contacts. Tell Newcastle University to 'Keep our uni clean, keep our cleaners'!
I have never known the buildings to be as busy as they are now.
We are honestly run off our feet,from the moment we start,until knock off time.
Last week,the C.T.building was inspected, and I openly admit
there was some problems,which we are trying our hardest to rectify.
David Atkins and Ivy have been back twice this week.
The inspection was extremely harsh,either of them will accept the fact that we just dont have time to do all that they are asking.
One of our cleaners arrives to work in tears,and leaves distressed every morning.I cannot even try to imagine how we are going to manage if they cut our hours any further.
we used to have 22hours a morning to do the work we are now trying to do in 12 and a half.Now they want to cut us back to 9 and half
hours per day and expect the same standard.I only hope this is all someone, somewhere,can help us. Thanks for your time.
Dawn Fuller