United Voice

The South Australian State Government, Clean Start supporters, awarded the contract to ISS Facilities Services, with the new contract starting on the 31st of May. Out-going Clean Start company Phoenix employed six evening cleaners at the building. Five of the cleaners wanted to remain cleaning at Riverside Centre with ISS, and one wanted to stay with Phoenix.

How did the Change of Contract work?

Under "Fair Job Security" won by cleaners in the Clean Start Agreement, the out-going and in-coming contractors had a responsibility to ensure that cleaners did not "fall through the contract change gap" and end up with no job at all. In the four weeks leading up to the change of contract date, Phoenix arranged for ISS to meet with cleaners in order to offer them on-going employment with ISS in the building.

Five cleaners accepted written offers of permanent part time employment with ISS at Riverside. This offer included minimum four hour shifts Monday to Friday for 20 hours a week. "Prior to winning the Clean Start Agreement, we were only guaranteed minimum shifts of two hours per day!" said LHMU union member Nhail.

"Job security at change of contract, especially with four hour shifts, is important to me. It means I'm able to buy food and pay rent while I'm studying for my marketing degree." Said Nhail.

"As for job security at change of contract – before Clean Start, there was none!" said Riverside Centre cleaner Michelle. " Winning job security in Clean Start is really good. Now I don't have to worry every two or three years about whether I'm still going to have a job just because the cleaning contract is up for change".

Clean Start wins all round

So who are the winners? Firstly, the cleaners who really have job security. But also the building owners and tenants, who enjoy the quality cleaning that comes from a stable, well trained workforce; and ISS because they have cleaners who take pride in their work and know the building.

"We are delighted that the principles agreed to in the Clean Start Agreement have delivered what was intended when it comes to job security for cleaners during a change of contract, the more stability we can provide for cleaners in our industry the better" said Gordon Marr, Executive General Manager Commercial Cleaning, ISS Australia.

Even outgoing company Phoenix is a winner. They know that they tendered on a level playing field with other Clean Start companies. The cleaning industry as a whole is also a winner because Clean Start keeps trained cleaners in good jobs in the industry.

What advice do Riverside centre cleaners have for all cleaners?

• Make sure we're all union – being together in our union is the best way to ensure we all get a fair deal.
• Know our rights in the Clean Start Collective Agreement. Do you know your rights? Do you know when your contract is due to change?
• Get organised and stand up for our rights. That's how we kept our jobs and our Clean Start Collective Agreement.

Make sure you're a part of the Clean Start campaign – talk with your union delegate or union office to find out what's happening in your area.

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Photos:

Riverside Centre cleaners  and LHMU members Michelle (top left) and Nhail (right).