Avalon staff on strike

The cleaners, employed by Spotless, are taking industrial action after international terminal cleaning staff at Melbourne Airport received a pay rise, leaving a discrepancy in pay rates.

In July, the international terminal cleaners working for contractor ISS Cleaning won a union agreement that provides an annual pay increase and restores a $1600 airport allowance.

Assistant Victorian secretary of cleaner's union United Voice, Ben Redford, said cleaners were standing firm in refusing to accept less money for doing the same job as other airport cleaners.

"Most of the cleaners who are going on strike only earn around $16.50 an hour. They are doing it tough, so the $1600 that other cleaners receive for doing the same job could make all the difference when it comes to supporting their families," Mr Redford said.

"Just like their colleagues at Tullamarine, the cleaners at Avalon Airport simply cannot understand why they should be paid $1600 a year less than cleaners at Melbourne Airport's international and Virgin terminals, who do the very same job.

"Now the cleaners who keep Avalon Airport hygienic and looking its best are joining the cleaners at Melbourne Airport's Qantas domestic terminal in strike action."

Avalon Airport CEO Justin Giddings said he had spoken to cleaning staff and was unaware of any strike action.

"I am surprised that we haven't been advised yet," Mr Giddings said.

Spotless has held the cleaning contract at Avalon Airport for the past four years.

Today's stoppages follow similar action last weekend at Melbourne Airport, and a 24-hour strike on Monday.

A spokesperson from Spotless said Avalon airport remained clean and tidy despite the threat of potential strike action.

Spotless said that last Monday one staff member stopped work at the airport and a full cleaning crew performed all the normal duties on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In a written statement Spotless said cleaners were being offered a four per cent wage increase each year which is above the Modern Award rate.

“Spotless believes that in the current economic environment this is a fair deal,” the statement said.

“Many Spotless cleaners earn more than $20 an hour because of the Award’s penalty structures. Spotless is proud of its record in passing on the full benefit of the modern award conditions and providing security of employment and the guarantee of entitlements to all its employees.

“Most cleaners are covered by the Cleaning Services Award, which has recently delivered an increase in real wages for cleaners.

“Fair Work Australia, the national workplace relations tribunal, increased wages by 3.4 per cent from July 2011. This follows a number of other wage increases including 30

June 2010 and 1 January 2011.