Cleaners at Calvary Hospital have walked off the job following a pay dispute with cleaning contractor Compass Medirest.
Staff went on strike for more than two hours on Monday morning, after hospital cleaners were offered a pay rise of just five cents from their hourly rate of $22.02.
Wages for Calvary cleaning staff have remained unchanged for almost three years and are $3 lower than wages for cleaners at the nearby Canberra Hospital.
More than a dozen hospital cleaners were part of Monday's strike, along with almost 60 other protesters outside the hospital.
Hospital cleaner Cibele Webbie, who has worked part time at Calvary for three years, said staff had little option but to strike after months of negotiations with Compass Medirest fell through.
"They can't turn their backs on us, and it is not fair," she said.
"We're doing this for as long as we need to, we're not asking for favours.
"We're not able to pay our bills and rent, and how can you say everything is OK when everything is getting more expensive and we've been paid the same for the past three years."
Compass Medirest hired six casual contractors to carry out cleaning of the hospital while the strike took place.
However, Ms Webbie said some regularly-contracted cleaners elected to work on Monday and not participate in the strike due to fear for their job.
Following the increased pressure on hospital cleaners in the wake of COVID-19, Mrs Webbie said the offer of an additional five cents an hour was an insult.
"We've been working really hard during the pandemic," she said.
"They only offer us five cents more and they don't pay penalty rates either. They take out everything they can from us."
The strike on Monday comes after protests were held in front of the hospital last Thursday in relation to the minuscule pay increase.
In a statement, a Calvary Hospital spokesman said cleaning services will continue as usual in the wake of the strike.
"Calvary Public Hospital has been assured by Compass that during industrial action, cleaning staff coverage will be maintained at the level that guarantees a hygienic and safe environment for patients, visitors and staff," the spokesman said.
"Services will comply with the standards established after the COVID-19 public health emergency was declared in March 2020."
United Workers Union director of property services Lyndal Ryan said given the increase in demand for cleaning services during the pandemic, a larger pay rise was needed.
"Cleaning companies have been making heaps of money during the pandemic and everywhere has hired extra cleaners," she said.
"Five cents is an insulting offer when hospital cleaners work very hard, and it's unpleasant work most of the time, keeping us safe during a pandemic."
Compass Medirest were contacted for comment.
