State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, will today move a Notice of Motion in the NSW Parliament, calling on the Government to give security to the 7000 school cleaners across NSW.
The NSW Department of Finance, Services and Innovation, has informed cleaners that employment guarantees that have been in place since 1994 will not be extended in the new contracts from 2018.
Cleaners would be forced to reapply for their jobs at the end of every contract and would see the accrued sick leave, recreational leave and their long service leave jeopardised.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“My mum was a school cleaner for 24 years at West Wallsend Public School and always had job security.”
“A clean learning environment is vital for kids. There are many bacteria hot spots in schools including desks, door handles, computer keyboards and toilets. These hot spots need to be regularly cleaned, as do all surfaces and floors in the building.”
“For the first time in 24 years, every cleaner will have to reapply for their job, with many facing an anxious wait to see if they will have a job come July next year.”
“Schools cleaners are an important part of the school community and many have provided service to their local school for decades.”
“Now, many cleaners fear that finding another job will be next to impossible. Many fear that the new contractors will not want to employ older people and they are going to want to employ younger people.”
“I will be urging the Premier to take urgent steps to protect our school cleaners’ jobs and conditions.”