SE Qld mall cleaners hold holiday protest

The cleaners' union says workers are paid just $16.57 an hour, have no job security and are struggling to stay above the poverty line.

Cleaners at Westfield's Strathpine shopping complex, who are in dispute with the Glad cleaning company, stopped work for an hour on Thursday and Friday, United Voice union spokesman Damien Davie told AAP.

Further action is planned for Boxing Day.

Overnight cleaners at Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore, which is owned by Lend Lease, will stop work for eight hours on Friday night and daytime staff will stop work for a number of hours on Christmas Eve.

Mr Davie said they have not yet specified their wage and condition demands.

But even a three per cent increase would snare workers only about 50 cents extra an hour.

"We're just asking for a fair and liveable wage," Mr Davie told AAP on Friday.

"Fifty cents is not going to pull people out of poverty.

"Cleaners have no job security.

"Every time the (shopping centre) contract changes they have to reapply for their jobs."

Mr Davie said the cleaners at Strathpine have contemplated heavier industrial action than just stopping work for an hour, but were threatened with a lockout.

"Any future actions, whether it's an hour or 10 minutes, they will lock the workers out for the whole shift," he said.

He said Glad was within its rights to lock workers out.

"It's an aggressive approach to take," Mr Davie said.

Comment has been sought from Glad.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8394383/se-qld-mall-cleaners-hold-holiday-protest