NSW: Cleaners vote on new offer

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2000
NSW: Cleaners vote on new offer

SYDNEY, April 10 AAP - Striking New South Wales government office cleaners were meeting
today to vote on a new peace offer from their employer after walking off the job last
week over plans to cut working hours.

About 2,000 cleaners downed dusters on Friday to protest against cleaning contractor,
Menzies Property Services plans to cut working hours by 24 per cent.

The workers had imposed bans at 1,100 government sites leaving police stations, court
houses and public and high schools dirty for up to four days.

The Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union said the cuts meant cleaners
would have just six minutes to clean a classroom and three minutes to clean a toilet.

But on Friday the company made a renewed offer to cleaners, including a lesser reduction
in working hours and increased job security.

The union was this morning meeting with members to recommend that they return to work today.

Cleaners had originally voted to stay off the job until tomorrow.

LHMU branch secretary Annie Owens said cleaners already were having difficulty cleaning
classrooms within the nine minutes they are allocated.

And she said it would be near impossible to dispose of rubbish, vacuum and sweep floors,
dust and wipe furniture, clean windows and remove graffiti and other markings in six minutes.

"There is now nothing left to cut except cleaning standards," Ms Owens said.

"Cleaners are already struggling, with some of our members working extra unpaid hours
and even bringing in family members to help keep classrooms clean."

AAP nd/sb/pjs/bwl

KEYWORD: CLEANERS (CARRIED EARLIER)

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