Shopping centre cleaners will wage a Christmas campaign to pressure one of Australia's largest cleaning companies for a pay rise.
On Wednesday, cleaners will campaign at Westfield's Pitt Street mall in Sydney and outside cleaning contractor Spotless' Queensland, Victoria and South Australia offices.
Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union (LHMU) national secretary Louise Tarrant said Spotless had been totally unreasonable and was treating shopping centre cleaners like second-class citizens by refusing to negotiate pay and safety issues.
"Spotless signed up to the LHMU's clean start agreement in CBDs which delivers fair pay and better jobs for city cleaners but Spotless refuse to even meet cleaners to discuss the problems shopping centre cleaners face," Ms Tarrant said.
Spotless and Westfield were prospering with Australia's strong economy, Ms Tarrant said.
"This is a slap in the face for cleaners. They work so hard, especially at Christmas time, to make customers' shopping experiences good."
Ruth Sorbello, a shopping centre cleaner said she was campaigning for a better life, job security, fair treatment, respect, safer worksites and better pay.
"It's almost impossible to live on just $16 an hour and bring up a family.
"Such a small wage makes it hard to get by and keep up with rent, bills and food.
"There won't be many presents under the tree this year for my children. It won't be a very merry Christmas."
Comment is being sought from Westfield and Spotless.