Today marks the fifth day of the lock out of 800 hospital cleaners, orderlies and kitchen staff by Spotless Services. Across the country picketlines are turning away scabs and raising funds to support the workers who have been locked out by a multinational cleaning contractor that refuses to sign up to a proposed new pay scale for some of this countries most hard-working and low paid workers.

Yesterday workers held a sit-in in a cafetaria at North Shore hospital, marched in the main street of Tauranga, and the 'The Lockout Cafe' has been serving coffee outside Invercargill hospital to raise funs for the workers. [ Read More ] In Wellington, the City Council has served the picketers with a Noise Direction notice. [ Report | Photos | Video ]

Take Action: Come to a picket line - there are pickets every day at each hospital with locked out workers - our office has a list of contact people for each hospital.

Aucklanders: If you're near the North Shore, locked out workers from Waitakere and North Shore Hospitals will have a combined picket tomorrow from 11am - 1.30pm at North Shore Hospital. If you're near Middlemore, the locked out workers would love your support on the picket line.

On Friday there will be another mass picket of the Spotless HQ in Penrose: details: This Friday 20th July, 11:30am - 1pm, 600 Great South Road.

Please call 0900 LOCKOUT to make a $10 donation.

Links: Service and Food Workers Union | LabourStart