UK: Latin American migrant cleaners secure improved pay & conditions after threatening strike action; incl. co comments
I finish the day broken, it is too much work – I am bent over in pain when I wake up in the morning.Protesting worker from Dominican Republic
At the start of May, London News Online reported migrant cleaners, largely from Latin America, employed by Westgate Cleaning Services to clean the private school Blackheath Prep School were striking in protest of contract disparity, pay and sick leave.
The workers were organised by the union, United Voices of the World, who said the contractor was refusing to listen.
The cleaners were protesting for a London living wage and sick leave parity with directly employed staff.
On 29th May, it was reported the workers secured a 15% rise in pay, full sick pay and improved contracts. After the settlement was negotiated the strike action was called off.
A spokesperson for Blackheath said it welcomes the offer of improved pay. A spokesman from Westgate Cleaning said the company was pleased the dispute had been resolved.
This is not only a victory for us but also for other cleaners who come and work at the schoolDominican cleaner