Cleaner’s Action Program (1975) improved working conditions for many Portuguese women

In 1975, Portuguese women who worked in the cleaning industry were facing serious challenges at their workplace that included low wages, long hours, and dire working conditions. The Cleaner’s Action Program arose out of these circumstances and paved the way for a more favorable working environment for all cleaning workers in Toronto.

Ever since the Portuguese woman began working in the cleaning industry, exploitation occurred, but more so in the early days. By 1975, the situation had become unbearable. Adding to this, the Government of Ontario of the time further complicated the situation after it canceled a contract, initialed negotiated with Local 204 of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to clean the Queen’s Park complex, and awarded it to a different company.

The Cleaner’s Action Program was headed by Sydney Pratt, who began holding workshops where women could discuss their concerns. This resulted in the launch of a newsletter called Cleaner’s Action Newsletter, which was distributed to cleaners who worked in downtown Toronto. The newsletter provided information on workplace rights and interviews with Portuguese cleaners. As the cleaners enrolled in ESL classes, their command of the English language improved. By 1981, they were writing articles, producing, and editing the newsletter.

This movement granted the women significant improvements and victories in notable workplaces such as the Toronto Dominion Towers, Queen’s Park Complex, and First Canadian Place.

The program eventually turned into something bigger than a labour movement. As women disclosed their work concerns with professionals at St. Christopher House, they also began to talk about their home life. This resulted in the launch of the Domestic Violence Program for Portuguese Women and the Domestic Violence Group Project, which initially targeted Portuguese women. This was the first program geared toward domestic abuse of immigrant women in Toronto. Although it was supported by many in the Portuguese community, the domestic violence program received backlash from many of the more conservative members.

Below is an interview published by Rise Up! with Cleaner’s Action Program founder, Sydney Pratt, and Marcie Ponte, who is a former union organizer for the International Lady Garment Workers Union and former member of the Labour Council. In the interview, they provide us with a more detailed insight into the movement that changed conditions for many cleaning ladies within the Portuguese community.