Migrant cleaners get a huge pay rise at a private school in south London

A GROUP of migrant cleaners working at a private school in south London have won a huge 15% pay rise after threatening to strike.

The workers have also been given full sick pay and better working conditions after members of the United Voice of the World (UVW) union voted unanimously in favor of the strike.

The migrant workers from the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador and Spain clean Blackheath Prep, where costs are £18,000 a year.

They proclaimed ‘VICTORIA’ after winning their March demands this year.

Judit Morales, Ecuadorian cleaner at Blackheath Prep and UVW member said: “We have never had sick pay before, this is a big victory for us, thanks to our unity and the support of our union who fully supported us. Full respect for my union.

“I was involved in the negotiations and I told the bosses what we needed. It felt like I was facing a lion and now I feel so strong and powerful.”

Santa Pérez, Dominican janitor at Blackheath Prep and UVW member said: “I am so happy with this win! This is not only a win for us but also for other cleaners who come to work at the school. I am so happy with my union and what we have achieved together. The London Living Wage is important to me, a mother of four. I will be able to do a little better financially and if I am sick, I now no longer have to worry about recovering or not getting paid!”

After successful negotiations with the school and cleaning company Westgate, bosses gave in to UVW’s demands.

Conflict

UVM is an anti-racist, member-led, direct action campaigning union that exists to support and empower the most vulnerable groups of precarious, low-paid and predominantly Black, Asian and minority ethnic and migrant workers in Britain.

The victory comes almost four weeks after the cleaners, UVW members, voted 100% ‘yes’ to strike and two weeks after they informed parents and cleaners of their struggle to put food on the table for the £11.44 minimum wage per hour, while Blackheath’s preparatory school fees are up to £18,000 per year.

Recently, representatives from the school met with UVW officials and representatives from the contractor Westgate Cleaning to negotiate a resolution to the dispute.

A strike action that should have been declared has now been averted.

Improved contracts

Petros Elia, general secretary of UVW, accepted the deal on behalf of the cleaners who unanimously voted for a 15% pay increase from May 17, full sick pay, a 30-minute paid lunch break and the same, improved contracts for all cleaners, regardless their start dates.

Petros Elia, Secretary General of UVW, said: “This victory is yet another example for workers across the country to follow. Our members at Blackheath followed simple, proven steps: get everyone to join the union, then get everyone to vote to strike, then prepare for the fight of your life.

“In this case, before strike action was declared, a negotiated deal was reached and our members will now have 15% more money in their pockets per month, and will be able to take sick leave without losing pay. The fight for full equality continues, but today we celebrate.”