United Voice News
Cleaners meet with Deputy Prime Minister
The Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon Julia Gillard and LHMU National Secretary, Louise Tarrant met with cleaners and briefed media on today's announcement concerning the Fair Work Principles.
Acknowledging the cleaners' long campaign for fair treatment at work, Julia Gillard announced the Australian Government is going to join the Clean Start campaign.
"This a a great day for cleaners," Louise Tarrant, National Secretary, LHMU - the cleaners' union - said in response to the Deputy Prime Minister's commitment to deal with reputable employers who want to treat their workers decently.
"LHMU welcomes the Rudd-Labor government's creation and commitment to Fair Work Principles and to our Clean Start campaign.
In an Australian first, the Fair Work Principles recognise that government can not only drive change through legislation, but also through its market power.
"We welcome the new Fair Work Principles," said Louise Tarrant, National Secretary LHMU.
"These Principles will go a long way in ensuring that when government contracts are awarded they will go to employers who abide by both the spirit and the legislative requirements of Fair Work Australia.
"Cleaners across Australia have spent the last three years working to create better, more respectful workplaces and a more sustainable industry. It is really exciting to see their work and commitment met and matched by the federal government in this way. We welcome the government's understanding that in an industry like cleaning - where the government is a significant player – contracting can actually be used to create decent working conditions and a more sustainable industry.
"We also wanted to welcome the creation of the position of Procurement Officer and the establishment of a tri-partite group of union, contractors, property owners and managers to develop best practice measures and create co-operative and fair workplaces."
