United Voice News
Queensland’s cleaners are sweltering in temperatures in the mid-to-high 30s as they clean offices after the air conditioning is switched off.
LHMU – the union representing much of Queensland’s contract cleaning workforce – has asked Brisbane’s building managers to spare a thought for cleaners this summer.
“Every day, cleaners turn up to work in conditions most of us would just turn and walk away from,” Branch Secretary Gary Bullock said.
“They come in at the end of the day after everyone’s gone home and perform physically demanding roles in what is often sweltering heat.
“What our union would like to see is building managers sparing a thought for cleaners by putting some of the air conditioning on timers so it stays on while the offices are cleaned.”
Gary said the problem was often particularly bad in CBD office buildings, where large running costs meant that running air conditioning all night across the entire building was prohibitive.
“What we want to see is a measured approach to keeping offices air conditioned while cleaners are in the building,” Gary said.
“There are strategies that can be used to run cleaning on timers and in certain zones only, so the building remains moderately cool without the costs swelling to prohibitive levels.”
LHMU said many cleaners were migrant workers and were often afraid to be too vocal about their conditions for fear of ‘rocking the boat’ too much.
“That’s part of the reason they’re largely a forgotten workforce,” Gary said.
“Most office workers don’t spare a thought for the people tasked with coming in and cleaning up after them during the night.
“We’d really like everyone to be aware of cleaners and the conditions they’re working in this summer.”
