The Multi Employer Collective Agreement (MECA), agreed between the Building Services Contractors New Zealand (BSCNZ) and its members, establishes $14.10 per hour as the minimum hourly rate for cleaners, which is at least 35c per hour above the minimum wage, and sets yet another point of difference between the BSCNZ member contractors and those who are not members.
‘Under the existing Principles for a Sustainable Property Services Industry agreement, the increase will include most staff working on cleaning contracts for Government buildings,’ stated the BSCNZ.
BSCNZ president Patrick Lee-Lo welcomed the signing of the MECA as a sensible and workable resolution to negotiations with the Service and Food Workers Union (SFWU).
“This new agreement maintains the margin the BSC has been paying above the minimum wage,” said Lee Lo. “It should also be noted that this is a minimum rate for our members, many of whom pay in excess of this amount.
“The new MECA, combined with the Principles agreement, provides certainty for thousands of cleaning staff and employers around salary and employment conditions for the next 12 months,” he stated. “The two agreements are key to ensuring that cleaners enjoy good jobs with sufficient hours, fair pay, reasonable work rates and safe conditions.
“It also means that clients receive and pay for good service, and reputable service providers bid and win work based on fair contracting principles and reasonable reward.”
‘The BSCNZ is also urging the Government to reconsider proposed amendments to Part 6A of the Employment Relations Act regarding small to medium enterprises. This is due to BSC concerns that some of the proposals could disadvantage some larger cleaning companies and put cleaners’ jobs at risks when contracts change hands.’