Cleaners who service the Houses of Parliament will hold their first-ever strike next Wednesday after voting today to take industrial action in a dispute over low pay.
The cleaners, many of whom are migrant workers, are paid just £5 per hour with no company sick pay or pension, and have been balloted for action by the Transport and General Workers (T&G) Union, after the parliamentary authorities failed to act.
The union launched its Cleaners’ Manifesto in February and has written to every MP and peer for their support. So far more than 250 parliamentarians from all political parties have pledged their backing for the campaign.
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The initial one-day strike will take place on the penultimate day of this parliamentary session, and the cleaners will mount a picket line outside the Houses of Parliament as MPs arrive for Prime Minister’s Questions.
The 140 members of the union are campaigning for £6.70 per hour; 20 days (plus eight public days) holiday; sick pay; company pension and dignity and respect.
