TAKING US TO THE CLEANERS
Price discrimination in the dry cleaning industry
As you are probably aware, the Women's Trust has for some time been
involved in a campaign to address discriminatory pricing practices in this
State.
As part of its 1999 granting program, the Trust funded the Consumer Law
Centre to conduct a test case to ascertain the legality of charging for
hairdressing services based on the sex of the customer. A case was
subsequently brought against prominent Melbourne hairdresser Edward Beale
at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. As a result, Mr Beale
agreed to stop discriminatory price practices against women in his salons.
This was a landmark victory in the fight for justice for women consumers.
It has also had implications for the wider struggle to attain equality for
women as consumers, with the State Government announcing the establishment
of a Parliamentary Inquiry to investigate discriminatory practices against
women.
The Women's Trust, along with the Consumer Law Centre and Women's Legal
Service, is at present developing a submission to this Inquiry. Whilst we
have good data on price discrimination in the areas of clothing,
hairdressing and cosmetics, research into price discrimination in the dry
cleaning industry is scant.
Anecdotally, we know that gender based pricing is rife in this industry. In
a significant proportion of dry cleaners, it is more expensive to clean a
women's business shirt than a men's. Similarly, dresses are often excluded
from three item discount deals. The remarkable disparity between the price
of cleaning a wedding dress, as compared to an evening dress, is also
exploitative of women consumers.
The Trust is currently collating quantitative data from dry cleaners across
Melbourne. We would like to supplement this information, however, by
gathering case studies. So if you have a story about any incidences at the
dry cleaners that you believe to be discriminatory, please let us know.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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Women's Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE) invites all women to its
Annual General Meeting on Monday October 30 from 6-9pm at Ross House, 247
Flinders Lane, Melbourne. Guest speaker is Joan Kirner on "Networking with
Women" and musical entertainment will be courtesy of HISSYFIT. WIRE's "Leaps
and Bounds" Appeal will also be launched on the night. WIRE promise wine,
nibbles and the company of good women!
RSVP to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or phone 9206 0870.
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