
Issue No 117		26 October 2001

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

News

Eighty Woolies Cleaners About To Lose Jobs

Up to eighty members of the LHMU Cleaners Union are about to find themselves unemployed because Woolies only care about the price of the cleaning services they buy.

They have awarded a cleaning contract which covers twenty stores in NSW and the ACT to a contractor at a price that means cleaners could be working for as little as six dollars an hour.

The cleaners work for Woolworths stores, in the Campbelltown area, Illawarra, the South Coast, the Hunter and the ACT.

" They are all about to lose their jobs because the supermarket chain has decided to change their contract cleaner - and the new contractor is refusing to guarantee continuing employment," Sonia Minutillo, NSW LHMU Cleaners' Union Executive Vice-President said.

" The decision of the new contract cleaner, Noxan, not to offer jobs to our members breaks a long- standing tradition in this industry - the contract may change but the workers' get to keep their job.

17 years' experience

" The refusal of the incoming contractor to re-employ long term staff, some with up to 17 years' experience, does not bode well for the type of working conditions the new contractor plans to put into place," Gil Anderson, the ACT LHMU Cleaners' Union Secretary said.

" We believe that a big company like Woolworths should consult with the union before handing out a tender to ensure that contract changes do not create a jobs crisis for their workforce."

Sonia Minutillo said:" Many low paid workers are facing an even bleaker Christmas than many of us are expecting in these harsh times - thanks to this Big Australian.

" To protest the way that this Big Australian's decision to make more bucks is hurting lots and lots of other ( smaller) Australians our union's members in Wollongong and Canberra are holding protest rallies at store sites."

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  Issue 117 contents

Interview: Brothers In Arms
Labour historian Marilyn Dodkin explains how she exposed ASIO ties with Labor Council's Cold War leadership.

Politics: Defending the Faith
Launching 'Brothers', Premier Bob Carr gave his own take on the allegations that union leaders worked with security agencies during the Cold War.

History: Surviving the Split
In this extract from 'Brothers' Marilyn Dodkin, looks at the manouverings around the establishment of the DLP.

International: Viral Attack
Postal unions in the USA are mobilizing to protect their members from the widening repercussions of an apparent bio-terrorist attack.

Unions: A Living Wage
The ACTU this week unveiled its claim for the 2002 Living Wage Case. Here's what they'll be arguing.

Campaign Diary: Week Three: Wave Them Goodbye
In a week when our boys and girls went off to war, Labor fought a desperate battle to fight the election on the home front.

Human Rights: Colombia's 'Dirty War' Against Unions
It might be tough being an organiser in Australia under the Howard Government, but spare a thought for Colombian trade unionists.

Review: Red Rag Unfurls
Ian Syson is an upfront, knockabout bloke. He heads up a new, small, independent publishing outfit called Red Rag Publications.

Satire: New Hope for Labor: Mackerras Tips Liberal Win
The electoral hopes of the Labor party have revived dramatically, after the perennially unreliable analyst Malcolm Mackerras forecast a huge victory for the Liberals.

» Unions Call for Air Price Floor

» With Friends Like the Banks, Who Needs Kiwis?

» Living Wage Claim For GST Rises

» New Compo Showdown Looms

» NIDA Tax Rorts Embarrass Howard

» First Case Under NSW�s New Pay Equity Principle

» Veil of Silence on Public Sector Outsourcing

» False Start for Race Day

» Union Proxy Campaign Gets A Boost

» Nauru Guards Claim Back-Pay

» Unions Await Final Triumph

» PM Claims No Aged Care Nursing Home Crisis!

» Eighty Woolies Cleaners About To Lose Jobs

» CFMEU Gets Disabled Athlete A Start

» Malaysian Solidarity Action in Sydney

» Activists Notebook