United Voice News
Minister David Borger is 'all for' KEEP(ing) IT CLEAN
Member for Granville David Borger has listened to NSW school cleaners' stories and put pen to paper to support their call for a fairer cleaning contract from the state government.
Cleaner from Old Guildford Public Michelle Watkin, went along with fellow cleaners Judy Hopkinson and Geoff Fletcher, met with Minister Borger last week to tell him their stories about what it was like to be school cleaners.
Michelle says it was a great experience. "The Minister was very interested. He asked a lot of questions and that made me feel at ease because I was really nervous. It was my first time meeting a Minister."
Cleaners spoke about job security, sick leave and the need for a portability of long service leave scheme.
Michelle says it is important for school cleaners to lobby their local Ministers because "it gives them our side of the story” and makes cleaners more “visible". "They hear a lot about what the contractors want … but us cleaners are the ones doing the work," she says. "We work behind the scenes … the community doesn’t realise what cleaners do."
And Michelle says Minister Borger was very supportive of school cleaners’ campaign. "He was all for it and said he would put the word around."
School cleaners are knocking on MPs doors all throughout Term 2. Want to support NSW school cleaners? Contact the Member Service Centre on 1800 805 027 for some postcards to get friends and family to sign.
