Spotless Ignores Government & Employees

Spotless Group continues with its arrogant campaign against its workforce by refusing to attend a Fair Work Australia voluntary mediation this morning.

Earlier this month, United Voice (formerly the LHMU) launched a landmark case against Spotless taking the company to Federal Court and Fair Work Australia over its Individual Flexible Agreements (IFAs).

The company’s cleaners are alleging the property services company breached the Fair Work Act by misrepresenting the IFAs to their workers and misusing the individual flexibility provisions under the Fair Work Act

In the application United Voice is contending that Spotless forced its cleaners to sign IFAs by threatening to cut their work hours and overtime if the employees refused.

United Voice National Secretary, Louise Tarrant, said the union was willing to sit down with Spotless at the FWA and begin meaningful mediation in the hope that a resolution could be found.

But she said by refusing to attend the voluntary hearing Spotless is showing disdain not only towards its employees but also the FWA and the Federal Legislation which provides a mechanism for addressing  allegations about workplace victimisation.

“I don’t know who they are listening to, but it certainly isn’t the Government or their employees,” Ms Tarrant said.

“The IFAs Spotless cleaners were forced to sign leaves them worse off with a loss of overtime, loss of rostered days off and a loss of superannuation contributions.

“There are cleaners who were planning to take the day off of work to attend the mediation, because they hoped to try and resolve this conflict with Spotless at the FWA. They will now lose a day’s holiday pay

“By turning its back on the voluntary mediation process, Spotless has shown scant regard for the law and their cleaners,” Ms Tarrant said.

The Federal Court case is set down for a first directions hearing before Justice North in Melbourne on May 30^{th .} United Voice will seek a Court Ordered compulsory mediation to force Spotless to the negotiating table on May 30.