United Voice News
In this issue:
4. Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA annual raffle
Dear member,
As cleaners have shown time and time again, we know how to win.
The late George Tsoukalas, one of our strongest ever cleaning delegates, knew the secret.
As you’ll read in this e-news, he knew that when cleaners unite and stand up for change we can make a huge difference.
That’s exactly how city members won Clean Start. And now, that’s how they’re protecting it.
Recently city members scored another win when they forced Swan Services to pay members Clean Start pay rates.
They won because they are united and strong. That gave them the power to make Swan honour our Clean Start Agreement.
Now retail members, inspired by their city brothers and sisters, are getting together again on April 28 to talk more about how they can also win change.
All over Victoria, these members are saying they want their hard work respected. They want better jobs.
And they are showing they won’t stop raising their voices until they win.
In unity,
Jess Walsh
Secretary,
LHMU Victoria
Retail therapy
Retail cleaners are fed up with being invisible and ignored, now they’re getting together to demand respect and a fair deal.
Retail cleaners are coming together to demand their hard work keeping Victoria’s shopping centres clean and bright is respected.
“Because we do a great job nobody even notices we exist,” said Swan Services member, Porty Ginthota, from Forrest Hill Chase.
Retail members will meet on Wednesday 28 April to talk about how to make their jobs better (details below).
“There is a huge lack of respect and understanding from management,” said Clean Domain member, Josef Broniecki, from Doncaster Shopping Town.
“I would like to see them try and handle such high expectations with such little time and equipment.”
That is why members are coming together to build one strong collective voice.
“We need to let people know we are here and we deserve fair treatment and respect,” Porty said.
“This is about standing up for ourselves, sticking together and working towards a better industry standard,” Josef said.
Josef said he can’t wait to meet with cleaners from across Victoria about how to fix the problems in their industry.
“At these meetings we get to have our say and we get to share a feeling of hope that things can change.”
Retail Cleaners Member Meetings
Join retail cleaning members at meetings on Wednesday 28 April 10.00am and 6.30pm at your union office, 117–131 Capel Street, North Melbourne.
Swan members celebrate
A cleaners’ protest turned into a victory party.Across Australia members with cleaning contractor Swan are jubilant after finally winning their long battle for a Clean Start.
Swan signed on to our Clean Start Agreement in 2009. But joy turned to anger when Swan failed to pay the Clean Start rate.
So Swan members around the country began raising their voices, over and over.
In Adelaide a planned protest turned to celebration when members heard they had won Clean Start pay.
Adelaide member Karan Dhandapani, from Swan, is delighted. He believes it was the strength of a united workforce and a united industry that forced Swan across the line.
“I stand with other Swan members. And we are part of a big community of cleaners,” he said.
Swan members are now looking forward to more stable jobs, fairer workloads and the right to speak up without fear.
Jeanette Shepherd (pictured), a delegate at Swan in Melbourne, said it is crucial members keep pulling companies into line.
“It’s very important to speak out when companies don’t honour our Clean Start agreement,” Jeanette said.
“This is really great news for members. Now we must continue making the public and building owners aware of the rogue companies that are out there!”
Remembering George
A great LHMU legacy at Melbourne Airport lives on.George Tsoukalas (pictured, top left) was a proud, determined cleaning delegate at Melbourne Airport who dedicated his life to fighting for justice for low paid workers.
For nearly two decades he kept his site united and strong, until his death in 2007. He also represented members on our union’s governing council.
Looking after the day shift these days are delegates Joseph Vella and Costa Andreou.
“George was extremely strong-minded and encouraging,” recalls Joseph (pictured, bottom right).
“He was a very nice man. He helped a lot of members. He also pushed for our rights as a site,” remembers Costa (pictured, bottom left).
It was George who urged Joseph to nominate as co-delegate.
“I used to visit George in hospital. He suggested I put my name down,” said Joseph.
“I said I wasn’t up to the job but he said I’d be perfect — so I nominated and I got elected!”
Joseph has never looked back. He works hard with Costa keeping their site strong.
“Costa reminds me very much of George, he is very strong and always gets the job done,” Joseph said.
“Members can be proud that Costa and Joseph are keeping George’s memory alive through their tireless work,” said Jess Walsh, LHMU Victorian Secretary.
Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA annual raffle
Millions of workers in developing countries do not enjoy the same workplace rights as we do in Australia. They face a life of poverty and injustice.
Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA, on behalf of Australian union members, helps workers in many of these countries win decent jobs and better lives, through education, health and human rights programs.
Join their campaign to help 'Make Life Fair Everywhere' by supporting their annual raffle.
By selling a few raffle tickets you will be helping to fund 50 projects in 15 countries!
First prize is a round the world trip for two plus an accommodation and spending package valued at $8,400.
Second prize is a Dell Vostro 1520 laptop valued at $999.
There is also a 52cm colour TV (plasma or LCD) for the seller of the most tickets.
The closing date is 14 May 2010. The winner will be drawn on 3 June 2010 with results in The Australian 8 June 2010.
Join their campaign to help 'Make Life Fair Everywhere' by supporting their annual raffle.
