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CAF does not represent cleaners in workplace disputes, or participate in bargaining for better pay and conditions. This is the role of United Workers Union. 

United Workers Union represents workers (individuals and/or groups) directly, negotiating wages, working conditions, and handling disputes. United Workers Union works together with CAF as their worker engagement partner to improve conditions for cleaners, and plays an active role in ensuring breaches to the CAF Standard are addressed at your site. This does not, however, replace the Union’s broader role at your workplace, which includes fighting for better pay and conditions and representing individual cleaners as needed. CAF encourages cleaners to become a member of United Workers Union as workplaces where cleaners are members of their union are good workplaces that are free from exploitation.  

Once the site is awarded CAF Certification, stakeholders work together continuously to make sure that cleaners’ workplace rights remain respected.  

In a non-CAF building, it is harder for cleaners to speak up. There may be less support for cleaners, and cleaning contractors might not maintain high standards, which can lead to deteriorating working conditions. 

Here are just some of the CAF Reps who are supporting cleaners to change the industry. 

Rosalie Kochanek (Hyperdome Shopping Centre, QLD) 

“The main thing that inspired me to take on this role is my passion and loyalty to work together with my colleagues.  We value our job. Because this is what we feed to our family and this is what we live on. To be a voice, know the rights of the cleaners. To see the Cleaners being respected We can have a work that you love to come each day ,Every cleaner can feel free to express their concerns  and issues .To be a representative is important for me to be able to advocate for them and to help them. To commit myself, ensuring our values and ethic is valued and respected  with everyone listening to us and Be the voice of every cleaner. 

Originally from Manila, Philippines, have been living in Australia for 22 years. Have been working in the cleaning industry for 19 years and with Springmount at Hyperdome for 2.5 years. The main thing that inspired me to take on this role is my passion and loyalty to work together with my colleagues.  We value our job. Because this is what we feed to our family, and this is what we live on. To be a voice, know the rights of the cleaners. To see the Cleaners being respected We can have a work that you love to come each day, Every cleaner can feel free to express their concerns and issues. To be a representative is important for me to be able to advocate for them and to help them. To commit myself, ensuring our values and ethic is valued and respected with everyone listening to us and be the voice of every cleaner.” 

Jenny Riano (Bourke Place, Victoria)  

“I was inspired to take the role as a CAF Rep by the opportunity to support my colleagues and improve our working environment as we feel vulnerable due to lack of knowledge. My goal is to ensure that the needs and concerns of my colleagues are heard and addressed.  

CAF is a channel of communication and support for employees. As a representative, my role is to be the link between employees and management, facilitating effective solutions. CAF is important to me and my colleagues because it addresses real problems we face in the cleaner industry, such as: insufficient wages, unsustainable workloads, and cases of harassment and even discrimination. It gives us a helping hand to fight for fairer conditions, ensuring that our efforts are valued and respected. Through CAF support, we can improve our quality of life and have a safer and fairer working environment.”

Anisha Bhattarai (South Eveleigh Precinct, NSW) 

“Working in the cleaning industry has given me firsthand insight into the challenges many faces when balancing work, family, and personal well-being. I was inspired to take on the CAF Representative role because I wanted to support my colleagues and the wider community in navigating these challenges by ensuring they have access to the resources they need. This role offers me the opportunity to advocate for those who may not know where to turn for assistance, and that’s something I’m passionate about. As the CAF Representative at South Eveleigh my goals are to increase awareness of the available resources where they can contact when in need and help my colleagues and the community access the support they need. I aim to create a more connected workplace, where employees feel comfortable seeking help when necessary. I also hope to build strong communication lines with CAF to ensure that the support provided aligns with the specific needs of our site. I see CAF as a crucial support system for individuals who might be facing difficulties in balancing work, life. My role as a CAF Representative is to be the point of contact, ensuring that people feel heard and have access to the services they need. I believe in the power of community support, and I am proud to take on the responsibility of making sure everyone knows there is help available and making workplace better.”  

If you are employed by a CAF Prequalified Contractor, and you are experiencing workplace issues that you feel you cannot raise with your management team at work, you can use our web form to notify CAF and the United Workers Union. We will keep all information provided confidential and will reach out to you first before we raise your issue with any other party. 

To find out if your employer is CAF-Prequalified, visit our Prequalified Contractors Directory. 

If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe raising issues with management, and have not been able to discuss this issue with a CAF Representative or your UWU organiser, you can also reach out to us using this web form.