United Voice News
Marie boosts NZ Clean Start
Melbourne cleaning delegate Marie Angrilli flew to New Zealand to speak at our sister union’s Delegates Convention.
The SFWU, who represent service and food workers, have a Clean Start campaign too. They invited Marie because she is one of the heroes of our local campaign.
Marie (pictured, centre), who works two cleaning jobs, has been active since the campaign began. She had some strong advice for her New Zealand comrades, who are bargaining right now.
"Keep up the fight, because if you fight you can win!" said Marie.
"You need to plan, you need to organise, you need to fight really hard and you need to let your companies know you are not going to give up."
Marie spoke of the importance of understanding our fellow members.
"We had a diverse group of delegates to speak to members from all backgrounds. This way we made sure members understood the agreement and how to vote it up."
So far contractors have responded to New Zealand’s Clean Start campaign by offering a 25c an hour pay rise, which doesn’t even bring them up to Australia’s minimum wage.
Marie told Kiwi members to keep pushing hard to win justice and respect.
"Companies are always saying they respect their workers. Prove it! Sign the collective agreement."
