In this issue:

1. Crown members come together

2. Standing up for change

3. Spreading a message of hope

Dear member,

One of the great things about being in LHMU is being inspired by the victories of members in our different industries.

Their courage and strength show us we can aim higher and expect better too.

Thousands of city cleaners stood together and campaigned for fair pay, a fair workload and respect.

And, after a big battle they won!

Now, room attendants from luxury hotels across Melbourne, inspired by these wins, are raising their voices too.

They want respect and higher standards in their industry. They are meeting on Monday 1 March to discuss the next steps towards winning change.

At Crown, members are also working together for change. They are meeting again on Wednesday 3 March to talk about how they can unite to protect their conditions and win better jobs.

We are a valuable workforce. We accept difficult hours and provide a quality service we are proud of.

As cleaners have shown, when we stand together we can all win the respect and recognition for our hard work that we deserve.

In unity,

Jess Walsh
Secretary,
LHMU Victoria

Crown members come together

When you work for the largest single site employer in the Southern Hemisphere it can be tough getting your voice heard.

That is why members at Crown Casino are coming together to build one strong collective voice.

Do you work at Crown? Join Crown members on Wednesday 3 March, at 120 Clarendon Street — a few minute’s walk from Crown — to discuss the changes you want to see in your job.

David Francis has worked in table games at Crown for over a decade. It is a demanding job, he believes.

“You can go from dealing with a five dollar player to a player dealing in hundreds of thousands of dollars — so your pressure really varies,” David said.

Thousands of dedicated staff keep the massive complex running twenty-four/seven — many working unsociable hours.

“It is hard when you think about what you have missed out on or sacrificed in your life,” David said.

“We do half a year on nights and we do three out of four weekends a month.”

Staff need to make sure they are respected and their voice is heard, believes member Michael Booth, also from table games.

“We need the power to put our point across because we are a valuable part of the casino.”

“It feels good to be in the union — the members I have met are really positive about change,” Michael said.

Crown Mass Meeting

Join Crown members at mass meetings on Wednesday 3 March 3.30pm and 6.00pm at 120 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne.

Standing up for change

Room attendants from luxury hotels across Melbourne came together at a mass meeting late last year to talk about winning better jobs.

Ninik Triwahyuni from the Park Hyatt was excited to see about forty members gathered together.

The next mass meeting of room attendants is at 4.30pm, 1 March at LHMU Victoria, 117 Capel Street North Melbourne.

“It was an important day. It gave us strong hope of making great change in our industry.”

Ninik learned that everyone shared the same problems.

“The problems are the same: not enough time and too much pressure. Many of us have the same injuries too.”

Members from the Westin and Langham hotels explained how they recently won better jobs. Now they want to see wider change across their industry.

“Across Melbourne hotel room attendants are getting together. They want a fair workload and fair pay,” said LHMU Victorian Secretary Jess Walsh.

Cleaning member Marie Angrilli also shared stories of city cleaning members’ Clean Start victory.

“I think office cleaners and hotel workers face the same problems — we both work difficult hours that impact our family and social lives,” said Marie.

“Everyone needs respect and more time to do their jobs.”

Marie gave some strong words of hope.

“You need to stand up and fight if you want to win. We won — you can too!”

Room attendants are meeting at 4.30pm, 1 March at LHMU Victoria, 117 Capel Street North Melbourne.

Spreading a message of hope

Melbourne’s Jeanette Shepherd is proving that LHMU solidarity spans across industries.

Jeanette is a cleaner and is working as a Member Organiser in luxury hotels.

“Cleaners and room attendants are similar. They’re given many rooms and little time to clean them,” said Jeanette.

Jeanette remembers when ruthless undercutting in office cleaning led to an unhappy workplace.

“We faced the same problems. When we were quiet and inactive, managers thought it was OK to push and push and push.”

Cleaners have their Clean Start victory to show making a noise works. Now Jeanette wants to inspire hotel members.

“To me it’s very important to encourage them by talking about what we cleaners did,” Jeanette said.

“I want room attendants to see what they can achieve. I encourage them to stand up for themselves and tell them we cleaners are here to back them up.”

A Filipina immigrant, Jeanette believes immigrant workers need to stand up for their rights.

“Many workers don’t speak English very well — it’s their second language. People take advantage of them,” said Jeanette.

Jeanette has a simple message for room attendants.

“Stand up for better conditions: better pay and respect! When you fight for your rights it’s empowering.”

“It’s great to see room attendants coming together now. Like cleaners, they’re showing they’re determined to win better jobs,” said Jess Walsh, LHMU Victorian Secretary.