Strathpine cleaners strike over wages
09 Feb 2012
by: Lesley Hunter-Nolan, Pine Rivers Press Police, placards and a paddy-wagon were the unusual ingredients in a dramatic scene at Westfield Strathpine on Wednesday.
A group of frustrated cleaners stopped work for an hour from 1-2pm and were met by six police officers when they tried to go inside to continue their protest.
They returned to work but have vowed to continue their action until their demands are met. United Voice union rep Amanda Graupner said the strikers wanted employer Glad to agree to the Clean Start wage and conditions agreement.
Strathpine cleaner Sharon Randle said she wanted more money, hours and job security.
"I can't live on $200 or less a week, not with a mortgage, I just want what I am entitled to," she said.
Michelle Davis of Lawnton said: "I work my butt off. I get paid $16 an hour to wash faeces off the wall and I can't survive on that, we deserve more."
Both said they would continue to take strike action until Glad agreed to the Clean Start terms for retail operations. Glad's commercial operations already operate under Clean Start.
Glad Chief Operations Officer Ravi Shambanna said the cleaners were paid according to an agreed award and he was not aware of any cut in hours.
"We were not happy with the Clean Start retail so we are still negotiating it," he said.
"The retail sector is under a lot of pressure, saving rates are increasing and interest rates are decreasing so it is very hard to negotiate with the centres at this point in time. At the end of the day it is them paying us and us paying the cleaners. No-one is in danger of losing their jobs."
Westfield corporate affairs manager Julie Clarke said: "The campaign is based on a dispute between the union and cleaning contractors, not shopping centre managers. Despite this Westfield has spoken with both parties in good faith to resolve the issues.
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