Katie Cherrington, Newcastle
New South Wales' public school cleaners are fighting to save their jobs. Commerce minister in the NSW Labor government John Della Bosca has announced that new multi-year contracts to clean schools and other public buildings will not include job security for cleaners. Under Della Bosca's plan, contractors will be free to sack the entire work force and replace them with new cleaners.
The NSW Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMU) believes that the move threatens the jobs of most cleaners aged over 45. Most are women and many are from non-English-speaking backgrounds.
"The government believes it will be cheaper to clean schools with a smaller, younger work force", said NSW LHMU Cleaners Union secretary Annie Owens. "For a Labor government to deliberately target disadvantaged older workers — most of whom have cleaned local schools for many years and are closely bonded to the school community — is unfair and morally wrong.
"We call on John Della Bosca, treasurer Michael Egan and Premier Bob Carr to reconsider this plan. The NSW government must protect the job security of these loyal and hard-working cleaners."
Cleaning services will be reduced to basic hygiene and it is possible that parents, teachers and children will be forced to clean schools if the government's plan goes ahead.
LHMU Newcastle regional secretary Carmel Cook points out that over 90% of cleaners are union members. "For 11 years, at ALP conferences, the rank-and-file [delegates] have supported the cleaners [in their struggles with contractors]. They have demanded reemployment with the government, fair contractual arrangements and consultation with the union", said Cook.
"At the ALP NSW country conference in Bathurst in June, Della Bosca in his industrial relations report failed to address the issues of the cleaners... We believe that was a cowardly act."
The cleaners are now set to respond with extensive industrial action to protect their jobs.
From Green Left Weekly, July 21, 2004.
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