http://www.lhmu.org.au/lhmu/news/2007/1174342973_25341.html - Media Release distributed in New Zealand by SFWU Nga Ringa Tota on behalf of LHMU (Australia)

Sydney cleaners raise voices to make themselves heard in New Zealand

Sydney supporters of the Clean Start: Fair Deal for Cleaners campaign will assemble outside the Sydney's Town Hall House today (Tuesday) at 4pm as part of an International Day of Action against Spotless Services.

Alofi Tanuvasa a 46 year old Sydney cleaner will be one of the Kiwi and Pacific Island cleaners briefing Clean Start supporters about why New Zealand cleaners are putting a focus on the dominant contract cleaner in their country - Spotless Services.

Crisis in the property services industry in Australia and New Zealand

" The Clean Start: Fair Deal for Cleaners campaign, launched a little under 12 months ago, aims to address a crisis in the property services industry in Australia and New Zealand," Mark Boyd, NSW LHMU Cleaners Union President, said.

" We want to work with all stakeholders in the industry to commit to working together to improve the quality of services provided and to improve the working conditions of those employed in this industry.

Support for cleaners campaign spreading

" Since the campaign was launched unions, community groups, many contract cleaners and property owners, as well as different levels of government, have shown their support for the Clean Start: Fair Deal for Cleaners campaign in Australia and New Zealand.

" Our sister union in New Zealand, the Service and Food Workers Union, working alongside church and community groups, have called on Spotless Services to recognise this crisis in the industry and commit to the values of the campaign.

The New Zealand union has called on the New Zealand leadership of Spotless Services to follow those companies who have already signed a Responsible Cleaning Contractor agreement.

Huge marches planned for New Zealand's major cities

" In New Zealand today cleaners are protesting in Auckland and Wellington against Spotless Services with huge marches planned with the support of well-know community and religious figures in that country.

" Here in Sydney we will meet outside Town Hall House supporting the cleaners in New Zealand, and the Spotless Services cleaners who work in this Sydney building - hoping to see this multinational company announce they have had a change of heart, " Mark Boyd said.

Similar protests against Spotless Services are being held in major cities across Australia today by supporters of the Clean Start: Fair Deal for Cleaners campaign.

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The Clean Start: Fair Deal for Cleaners campaign aims to provide a voice to the low-waged largely immigrant female workforce, in cities across Australia and New Zealand, who are calling on big property owners to support decency in their workplaces.

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