United Voice

In this issue:

1. Industrial action takes off at airport

2. Building our knowledge, building our strength

3. Cleaners plan for ACTION!



Dear member,

Last Friday was an historic day for cleaners. For the first time ever at the airport, cleaners walked off the job.

Members working for Spotless Cleaning at Melbourne Airport are fighting to have a $1600 a year airport allowance reinstated. They are also demanding pay parity with ISS cleaners working at the airport.

It took great courage to stand up to Spotless. These members know they deserve justice and they will not back down until Spotless gives it to them. 
As you read this their strike action continues, and cleaners at Avalon Airport are about to join their fellow members and walk off the job.

You will also read in this e-news about the solidarity of shopping centre cleaners. Large numbers of cleaners came together on Tuesday night to discuss their Clean Start campaign. They endorsed a rock solid action plan and are fired up and determined to win — no matter what.

Members who know what it takes to win are the CBD cleaners who won their Clean Start Agreement three years ago, delivering better pay and respect for the important work they do. You will read about the Powerhouse Training some CBD delegates completed recently to ensure they keep their sites strong and their agreement protected.

In unity,

United Voice, the Cleaners Union

Industrial action takes off at airport

Spotless Cleaning members stop work at Melbourne Airport.

Members have begun industrial action at Melbourne Airport after employer, Spotless Cleaning told them they should be paid $1600 less than other cleaners at the airport.

Spotless members are also fighting for equal pay with other cleaners at the airport, working for ISS Cleaning.

Spotless is refusing to reinstate an airport allowance worth $1600 a year, stripped away during the award-modernisation process last year.

“We deserve the airport allowance and we deserve pay parity with ISS — it’s not fair,” said Spotless delegate Joze Majer (pictured, below right).

“We won’t give up until we get what we want. Everyone is united now; everyone is angry.”

Members’ industrial action includes work plans, strikes and stop works.

In July, ISS Cleaning members won a new union agreement that provides annual pay increases of four per cent. It also restores the airport allowance.

The milestone agreement is a first for airport cleaning and places ISS members as the highest paid airport cleaners in the country.

“It’s great news. And now all ISS workers are getting the allowance so that’s made it a lot fairer,” said ISS delegate Kerri Withall.

ISS cleaners say they are right behind their Spotless workmates.
 
“They deserve to be paid the same as us; everybody should have the airport allowance too,” said Kerrie.

“They are being treated unfairly. What goes for one, should go for all.”

Building our knowledge, building our strength

Cleaning delegates get trained up and ready to defend Clean Start.

Melbourne CBD cleaning delegates spent a day at the union office last month learning how to defend and strengthen their Clean Start Agreement.

If you want to become a delegate and represent your workplace contact your union office on 9235 7777.

They did United Voice’s Powerhouse Delegate Training which teaches delegates how to strengthen their sites and understand their rights.
 
Old and new delegates were among the 15 who completed the training. Veteran delegate Roberto Carreon said, “It’s always good to get more training.”

“It’s important to boost my knowledge on how to represent my co-workers and what our rights are under Clean Start,” said Roberto (pictured).

“Then if there is a case in my building, I can stand beside my co-worker and feel confident that I can help them.”

Consolidated Cleaning’s new delegate, Juan Camilo Botero, said he became a delegate because he wanted to represent the South American people at his workplace.

“I felt like often they don’t understand so I wanted to help them get their rights.”

“I learned a lot at the training. I am more confident now because I know the rules.”

If you want to become a delegate and represent your workplace contact your union office on 9235 7777.

Cleaners plan for ACTION!

Shopping centre cleaners from across Victoria demand change.

Shopping centre cleaners around the state came together on Tuesday 13 September to discuss their Clean Start campaign.

At the meeting members endorsed a list of demands and decided how to inform the bosses of this list. Some of the demands are:

• Better pay
• Toilet allowance for every cleaner who cleans toilets
• I keep my job when contracts change between companies
• If the company makes a mistake with my pay then they will pay me a penalty
• Consultation and agreement for changes to my roster or site transfers
• All companies sign up to Portability of Long-Service Leave
• When a permanent position becomes available casuals are first in line
• Respect

These are the issues Victorian shopping centre cleaners are angry about. Shopping centre cleaners are demanding change and want the companies to finally listen and agree to their demands. It’s time the bosses stop stalling and started signing up to a Clean Start. 

Delegate at Westfield’s Airport West Shopping Centre, Ofelia Beltran says there is only one way to get the bosses to listen.

“Sticking together and getting informed together makes us powerful. We must raise our voice, stand up and be heard — that’s what it is all about,” said Ofelia.

At the meeting members vowed to take action if the companies continue to ignore their demands for a fairer industry.