United Voice News
MP Phil Koperberg says 'yes' to supporting school cleaners
Mount Riverview Primary school cleaner Michael Kershaw met his local member for Blue Mountains Phil Koperberg early this week to lobby for a fair cleaning contract for NSW school cleaners.
Michael spoke to the MP about why school cleaners need a sick leave safety net. "I have a history of illness that put me out of [my previous career] and that's when I became a school cleaner," he says. Michael says when he heard about how former Broadlex cleaners lost their accrued sick leave when Spotless took over the contract recently, he was "particularly concerned".
"I found that quite concerning considering my experience of illness … If that had been my situation [before] … I would have been in big trouble."
Michael says MP Koperberg was "quite happy" to sign the "KEEP IT CLEAN" support postcard. "[The MP was] quite pleased to put his hand up and say 'yes' [to supporting us]. He said he would meet with the relevant Minister and recommend that [a] sick leave [safety net] and [portability of] long service leave be given consideration in the preparation of the new contract," Michael says.
He says it is important for school cleaners to lobby their local MPs. "I think … we [need to] turn up, show up, and prove to them that there are people out there that are interested enough to talk to them and tell them this is what we are concerned about … We got to do something to be seen."
"What I’m doing now is for those that come after me."
NSW school cleaners are meeting with their local MPs throughout Term 2. They have also been getting the school community involved by asking them to sign support postcards. To support school cleaners, contact the Member Service Centre on 1800 805 027 to pick up a few postcards and get family and friends to sign them!
