Support for cleaners

Press, 24 February 1988, Page 3

Support for cleaners

The principal of Hagley High School, Ms Roz Heinz, said there was clear support for the cleaners’ strike from the school community, in spite of many schools being forced to close. Hagley High School closed at midday yesterday when paper supplies for toilets ran out. Because the school’s board of governors resolved not to do cleaning work, pupils were sent home. With 900 day pupils and an evening roll of 500 adult pupils using the same facilities, it was impossible to carry on, said Ms Heinz.

In spite of problems caused by the strike, there was “clear support from the school community for the cleaners’ stand,” she said. The deputy principal of Hagley High School, Mr Graeme Plummer, said he would be surprised if other schools could stay open unless they could "subvert” cleaners from walking off the job. In the meantime, teachers would attend school during normal working hours for in-ser-vice courses on curriculum developments, and consult one another about teaching resources, Mr Plummer said. Ms Heinz admitted to feeling some frustration. “It is just a hassle at this time of the year, four weeks into the first term, and we don’t ■ have the kids to teach. But we will fully use this time for the benefit of the kids,” she said. Cleaners were to return to work today, but would still refuse to clean toilets. Therefore Hagley High School would remain closed to pupils.