‘Underpaid’ cleaner called a slut, bullied at Victorian public school

A CLEANER at a Victorian public school says she was called a “sl*t” and told to “piss off” when she complained to her manager about being paid less than the minimum wage.

Kaitlin Speary was told to “piss off” and “don’t waste my time” by her manager in a series of text messages. Picture: Josie Hayden

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A FEMALE cleaner at a state government school claims she was called a “slut” when complaining she was underpaid.

Kaitlin Speary, who worked for less than two months cleaning the basketball stadium at a Victorian public school, was also told to “piss off” and “don’t waste my time” by her manager in a series of text messages.

It is the latest revelation in an underpayment scandal centred on the Department of Education and Training.

Ms Speary worked for a subcontractor for Paraserve Cleaning Services, which is contracted to clean at least 50 state government schools, between January and March this year.

The Herald Sun this week revealed reports of Paraserve “franchising out” some its cleaning contracts to other operators, which is forbidden by the department, resulting in underpayments of up to $8000 a year.

Paraserve has been “franchising out” some its cleaning contracts to other operators. Picture: Thinkstock

Ms Speary, who cleaned Lilydale High School’s basketball stadium, was paid a flat rate of just under $18 an hour, despite the minimum wage under the industry award being $23.64.

It has been estimated she was underpaid about $1000 over the less than two months she worked for the company.

“When I raised the issue over the phone one day, my boss called me a slut,” she said.

“The manager more or less told me he does the pay and my calculations were wrong.

“He also tried to tell me I didn’t work Sundays, when I clearly did.”

In text messages, seen by the Herald Sun, Ms Speary told her manager she was owed hundreds of dollars in underpayments.

“Piss off please don’t waste my time,” the manager texted back.

“We also know the correct rate,” read another.

Paraserve’s managing director Galvin Bartlett said the company had been made aware of the allegations and took them seriously.

“We are in dialogue with Ms Speary and are following internal procedures to investigate this matter,” he said.

“Our initial findings is that her rates of pay are correct. However, we will continue to investigate this.”

Some cleaners are getting “substantially less” than the minimum wage. Picture: Thinkstock

Jess Walsh, Victorian secretary of the United Voice union, said cleaners were being “bullied, abused and intimidated” when speaking up about being underpaid.

“State school cleaners do an important job making sure students have a clean learning environment. They deserve respect and fair pay,” she said.

“But Ms Speary got neither of those things. She was being massively underpaid. When she spoke up, she was abused. “

The Department of Education and Training is investigating the company for alleged underpayments and onselling its contracts.

A spokesman for the department said any behaviour that made people feel unsafe was unacceptable.

“As part of our current investigation into allegations against the company, we urge anyone with information about non-compliance — including underpayment and threatening behaviour — to contact the Department,” the spokesman said.

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