Cathy

I once looked forward to the thought of retiring on a moderate income.  I know now that that's not the case; I know that I'll be working well after my 65th birthday. If I had an increase I'd be able to pay my bills without the pressure and the stress that I face on a weekly basis. I would be able maybe to have dinner out with my husband, maybe once a month.  Those things are just not possible at the moment.  Virtually all the wage once a week is covered by mortgage and food, and bills - we rob Peter to pay Paul.

I know that my fellow workers are frightened of what the future will be for their children and for themselves; they know that the electricity is going to cost them more and they just don't know what the day to day costs are going to be in the next 6 months, and it scares them.  We don't do holidays, our friends do overseas trips and we long to think that we could fit that in some time in our life but at this stage we don't think so.  It's very different to our own parents who retired well and could enjoy some leisure time but that's not going to be an option for us.

The service industries are very under-rated. People don't understand that without them, they wouldn't have their workplaces and facilities maintained in any way.

We want awareness of the professionalism of our industry and the need for respect for what we do in the workplace every day. We look forward to more time to do the job well; better pay, better conditions, good leave and a good job. People are very eager to be able to come to a workplace where they don't feel pressured and rushed and that it could be a nice day to go to work and not have to worry if they'll pay me this week. There'll be standards and they'll have to be met.

Cathy - Menzies, formerly Spotless - SA