Cleaners to launch a direct appeal to Westfield

People walking into Westfield’s AGM today will be surprised by the gift of a single rose, honouring Frank Lowy’s distinguished career. But, attached to the flower will be an unusual card. It will be a card detailing the story of unheard voices—Westfield’s cleaners.

These stories are part of a “Westfield Appeal,” which cleaners from around the country will be launching in the coming weeks.  The Appeal is direct ask to Westfield to support cleaners in their quest for better wages and respect on the job. The cleaners are employed in the Westfield centres by cleaning contractors.

Cleaners work long hours and hard days to ensure Westfield centres are clean and sanitary—something important to keep customers returning. But, cleaners are struggling, making less than $32,000 a year before tax. In spite of the important work that cleaners do, cleaning contractors claim they can’t afford to pay the cleaners more because they aren’t paid enough by their clients—big shopping centres like Westfield.

"I’ve been a cleaner for over 10 years and have seen the staff numbers cut, which means we are pushed harder and harder to make sure the centre remains presentable for customers,” Cathy Daniels, a cleaner at a shopping centre in South Australia said. “I once looked forward to retiring at 65, but I know that won’t be the case.”

Ms Daniels is not alone. In fact, Westfield made 1.1 billion dollars in profit last year, but the cleaners keeping its centres clean and sanitary are still paid poverty wages.

“Chronic low pay of cleaners is prevalent across all Australian shopping centres, including those owned by big corporations like Centro and Colonial First State, but in retail shopping, Westfield is the leader, and other companies follow their guide,” Louise Tarrant, National Secretary of United Voice said.

“Over the past three decades, Australia’s multi-speed economy has left far too many workers behind. Some 20% of Australian employees now fit the Australian government’s definition of the low paid—that is, earning less than two-thirds of the median wage. In fact, cleaners working full-time make less than a family could claim on welfare,” Ms Tarrant said.

“Westfield is Australia’s largest retail group—with considerable global retail and property holdings—all of which makes the imbalance inside their shopping malls so stark. It is our hope that our appeal of bread and roses will touch their hearts, and lead them to stand up for cleaners across Australia.”