Auckland cleaners rally tomorrow, Thursday 14 May

MEDIA ADVISORY
Issued 13 May 2009

A lunchtime rally of cleaning staff from Auckland's CBD tomorrow (Thursday) will see city cleaners reaching out to building owners and tenants.

The rally, scheduled to begin at 1200 (Midday) comes just one week before the cleaners begin national pay talks at which the union delegates will highlight low pay and a lack of respect.

Clean Start Union Lead Organiser Fala Haulangi says the rally will be an opportunity for Aucklanders to see the daytime face of a night time industry.

"Every night hundreds of largely Pacific Island and new immigrant workers travel to the heart of Auckland to begin their work. While office blocks are emptying out the cleaners are beginning their nights work."

Fala Haulangi says while wages paid to cleaners are typically just five cents above the minimum wage of $12.50 the work is a critical part of every successful business.

"No modern office can function long without the cleaner. Yet they are treated as the invisible workers - all too often out of sight and out of mind."

Date: 14 May (Thursday)
Time: 1200 (Midday)
Assembling at Aotea Square, marching down Queen Street to Britomart.

ENDS

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