Marie, Melbourne

‘The Clean Start campaign is all about giving cleaners a voice in an industry where workers are getting squeezed a little more everyday. I work two shifts a day. One starting at 3am and the other at 5:30pm.

‘Many cleaners work similar hours. This has a real impact on our family lives and at the moment we don’t really receive wages to compensate us for that.

‘We’re proud of the work we do and want the time to do it in a safe and thorough way. By standing with the Union and taking our claims directly to the property owners we can get some fairness back into our workplaces.’

Marie, Melbourne

Christine, Canberra

‘I’m really worried about the future of our industry. Wages are so low that young people just don’t want to start working as cleaners. Also, there’s such a high turnover rate that training isn’t been conducted because people leave so quickly.

‘This leaves a generation of cleaners in their 40s and 50s being forced to work harder and harder with no added rewards.

‘I’m really worried about the lack of job security when cleaners are forced to re-apply for their jobs every time a contract ends.

‘That’s why the Clean Start campaign is so exciting.’

Christine, Canberra

Antonia, Sydney

‘It’s time for building owners to start listening to the people who keep their buildings spotlessly clean.

‘There are so many simple things they can do to help us work more effectively.

‘We know our jobs and can pass on important information that helps us do them even better.

‘Hopefully, our meeting with the Property Council of Australia will lead to building owners getting more involved with the process and not just signing a contract and thinking everything is alright.’

Antonia, Sydney