Strike warning at Westfield and Colonial First State malls across the country

350 shopping centre cleaners employed by Spotless Group have won their ballot for strike action in 16 shopping centres across the country, with a resounding 94% yes vote to take protected industrial action. The strike action could mean dirty shopping malls, toilets and overflowing rubbish bins for shoppers at various Westfield’s and Colonial First State malls during the busy Christmas period.

The ballot win shows the anger of retail cleaners at the irresponsibility and disrespect of the employer, Spotless, Louise Tarrant, National Secretary of United Voice, the cleaners’ union, said.

“Spotless cleaners have been trying to talk to their employer for over a year about the problems in the retail cleaning industry, but the company keeps refusing.”

“Cleaners are furious with the disrespect and disregard shown by cleaning giant Spotless, one of the most heartless companies in the entire country.”

“The cleaners’ number one concern is the state of shopping centres for the public.”

“Spotless is jeopardising this by reducing their staffing levels, reducing the amount of time cleaners have to do their job and forcing hardworking families to survive on only a little over $600 a week.”

"Spotless is claiming that $16.57 an hour, the minimum Award wage, is enough for a family to live on.”

“But, it’s not true, and the resounding yes vote by cleaners to this ballot shows that things need to change.”

Ms Tarrant emphasised that it’s not just Spotless that needs to change.

“Shopping centres like Westfield and Colonial First State are among the most profitable in the country.”

“Yet, in this time of cleaners struggling and demanding action from their employer, these building owners are just sitting on the sidelines.”

“If these owners don’t want shoppers to walk into their malls with overflowing rubbish and plagued with dirty food courts and toilets, they need to take some responsibility for what’s going on with Spotless and their workforce.”

Glad and Assetlink cleaners at retail shopping centres are also balloting for protected industrial action in shopping centres across the country following their employer’s refusal to fix issues in the contract cleaning industry. The ballot for Glad and Assetlink cleaners closes 7 December.

Media contact: Sarah Hoque, Media Officer, 0425 242 691