Cleaners at prestigious UK girls’ school win pay and conditions dispute

Cleaners at a prestigious London secondary school have won a fight for better pay and working conditions, as well as compensation for major cuts to their working hours, canceling plans for strike action to start next week.

As part of the dispute, former pupils of James Allen (Jacks) Girls’ School in Dulwich, south-east London, distributed leaflets in the local community promoting the strike and calling on school leaders to set a better example for pupils.

A group of cleaners belonging to United Voices of the World (UVW), a grassroots union for low-wage migrant workers, voted to strike after the school’s contractor wanted to cut their working hours from 43 to 38 weeks a year. An increase of £1.55 per hour.

Following a strike referendum and appeals from teachers and former students, the school and its cleaning contractor DB Enterprises changed their minds and offered cleaners a higher retroactive wage of £13.15 an hour. Next year.

The union said cleaners would receive five weeks’ cut and compensation for the introduction of full sick pay.

The school and DB companies did not respond when contacted for comment.

Rosa Garcés Chinche, one of Jacques’ cleaners and a member of the UVW, said: “I’m very happy that we won today. We accomplished a lot, especially considering that for many of us it was our first time in a union.

“We are so grateful for all the support we have received from fellow union members, teachers who have supported us every step of the way, and community members who have sent us so much support, as well as Jax alumni.

“I think it’s important for migrant cleaners everywhere to know that the power is in our hands, and we must come together and form unions to gain respect and greater success at work. Always remember, Unity is strong! [unity is strength!].”

Some cleaners have worked at Jack’s for more than a decade, and many of them have to work split shifts at the location, starting at 5:30 a.m. and then returning to shifts until 6 p.m.

UVW general secretary Petros Elia said the “courage and determination” of the cleaners had allowed them to refuse demands to accept severe cuts to their working weeks for little in return.

“We are delighted that strike action has been averted and Jacks – London’s oldest independent girls’ school – will finally treat its cleaners with dignity and respect,” Elia said.

The school dates back to 1741 and charges £24,500 a year for its senior pupils. Facilities on its 9-acre site include a music centre, swimming pool and theatre, with alumni including actress Sally Hawkins, star of Made in Dagenham.

Parents at the school will face higher costs from January after the government applies 20% VAT to fees. But as schools plan to reclaim VAT on their eligible costs, the increase to parents will be less than 20%.