Cleaners at a private prep school have secured a pay rise and full sick pay after threatening their employer with strike action earlier this month.

The migrant workers who clean Blackheath Prep school in St Germans Place, Blackheath, will see a 15 per cent pay rise, full sick pay and improved contracts following a campaign organised by United Voices of the World, a trade union for low-paid migrant workers.

Dominican cleaner and UVW member Santa Perez, 34, from Lewisham, said: “I am so happy for this win!

“This is not only a victory for us but also for other cleaners who come and work at the school…

Judit Morales, an Ecuadorian cleaner at Blackheath Prep said: “We never had sick pay before, this is a big win for us, thanks to our unity and the support of our union that had our back all the way.

“Full respect to my union. I was involved in the negotiations, and I told the bosses what we needed…

A spokesman from Westgate Cleaning said the company was pleased the dispute had been resolved.

Blackheath Prep school has been approached for comment.