Almost 150 cleaners at Canberra Hospital have been awarded a bonus after having their pay frozen for almost five years.
According to Fairfax Media, ACT Health has agreed to pay the cleaners, currently earning around $21 an hour, a 5.5 per cent bonus based on their yearly income between 2013 and 2016, following a negotiation with United Voice delegates.
Fairfax reports the cleaning staff now have their eyes on negotiating a permanent pay rise through collective bargaining with ACT Health.
A spokesman for ACT Health confirmed the deal and said the department had been pleased to offer an initial five-year contract to ISS Health Services, beginning 11 February 2017.
[quote]”ISS cleaners play an important role at Canberra Hospital and across our health facilities,” the spokesman said. “They provide a valuable service across all hospital wards, operating theatres, patient waiting areas, patient treatment rooms and other general areas inside and outside the hospital campus.”[/quote]