Cleaners working for Barclays Bank are to get a pay rise, sick pay, pension and holiday packages as well as access to training.
The Transport and General Workers Union, which has led the campaign for decent pay, welcomed Barclays’ decision.
“Barclays has done the right thing and responded positively to the cleaners’ campaign, which the T&G has led,” said Jack Dromey, the union’s deputy general secretary.
The new deal will mean a minimum starting pay rate of £5.55 an hour rising to £6.05 an hour. Fifteen days sick pay, access to a pension with Barclays matching 4.5% of salary into the fund and 20 days holiday on top of the eight public holidays will also be available after six months service.
The deal applies across the 2,000-strong Barclays branch network, with 2,400 cleaners involved. The contractors involved are Mitie, Aim and Lancaster, which are managed through Atkins Asset Management.
A fresh innovation is the provision of industry recognised training through the British Institute of Cleaning Science. Every cleaner will have an annual appraisal to discuss career progression and future training needs.
The union called on other banks to follow Barclays’ example.
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“The days of poverty pay for cleaners because companies who can afford to do not procure cleaning services ethically from contractors are over,” Dromey said.
