KEY POINTS:
Cleaners have been banned from holding candle vigils at their workplaces on Valentine's Day and are being threatened with court action, their union says - but the company disputes the claim.
The vigils are planned to promote dignity at work, but employer Total Property Services has called a
halt, according to the Service and Food Workers Union.
However, TPS managing director John Garlick said the company had never sought any such court order.
Union Secretary John Ryall said Total Property was seeking an urgent compliance order to prevent the cleaners holding the vigil, which is due to last for 24 hours from noon today.
However, some workers said they were determined to go ahead with the events at the Price Waterhouse Coopers Building in Auckland and the State Insurance Building in Wellington.
Cleaner Api Ielemia said she was determined to go ahead with the vigils despite Total Property Services' court action.
"We are planning to sing hymns, read prayers and light candles on Valentine's Day outside buildings cleaned by the contract cleaning firm Total Property Services," she said.
"These big bullies are saying we can't even read a prayer or light a candle, but we're going to do it anyway."
Mr Ryall said: "The Service and Food Workers Union has been working with building owners, the Property Council and the cleaning workforce to make cleaning jobs better.
"We think there needs to be more care, more love, and more dignity for cleaners in their workplaces, and we're saddened that Total Property doesn't agree."
A sermon was due to be deliverd to the cleaners by Presbyterian Church Minister Reverend Mua Strickson Pua. "I'll be very disappointed if Total Property's actions mean we can't go ahead," said Rev Strickson Pua.
"I think it is fundamental to human rights for people to be able gather together and make the world a more caring place, and big companies like Total Property shouldn't be able to stand in cleaners' way.
The union said members of the public were invited to show their support for cleaners by coming to the vigils in Auckland and Wellington.
The Auckland vigil was due to be opened by Deputy Mayor Bruce Hucker and Rev Strickson Pua of the Presbyterian Church. The Wellington Vigil will be opened by Pastor Popo Sua of the Samoan Congregational Christian Church.
Total Property Services began mediation with the Service and Food Workers Union yesterday after lodging a claim in the Employment Court last week.
The company said it was being unfairly targeted by the union because of its contracts to clean high-profile Auckland buildings.
Mr Garlick said the company has a proven track record as a responsible contracting company which goes above and beyond many industry standards.
Members of the Building Service Contractors of New Zealand, the trade association representing cleaning companies, have a collective agreement with the union but are refusing to sign up to the union's "Clean Start - Fair Deal for Cleaners" campaign.
- NZHERALD STAFF
