School cleaner strike: Union leaves door open for talks

Walk-out: school cleaners voted to strike in January and February

Cleaners’ trade union Unite said it could call off the strike in Hackney if employer OSC Group sits down for serious talks.

The Citizen reported last week that six schools face overflowing bins and dirty toilets as their cleaners stage a four-day strike over pay and conditions.

More than 40 cleaners will put down their mops from 30 January to 2 February and again on 5 February after voting for industrial action.

The schools affected are Cardinal Pole School, Clapton Girls Academy, Hackney Free School, Haggerston School, Ickburgh School and Stoke Newington School.

Unite warned “classroom rubbish will be uncollected and toilets unclean” if the strike goes ahead, adding: “Someone has to do the dirty work.”

OSC Group is not paying the current London Living Wage of £10.20 per hour, which came into effect in November, instead paying the previous rate of £9.75 per hour.

The company is also bringing in term-time only contracts, which Unite calls a “real terms pay cut”.

Middle man: Unite thanked Mayor Glanville for his role in the dispute. Photograph: Hackney Council

OSC Group declined to comment. But after enquiries from the Citizen, Mayor Philip Glanville provided information about OCS Group’s position which could persuade Unite to cancel the strike.

The Mayor said OSC Group intends to pay the new rate starting in April – putting it within the Living Wage Foundation’s six-month window.

It would also pay overtime for “deep clean” and other work in school holidays.

Unite regional officer Onay Kasab called this welcome news, but noted that other firms started paying £10.20 per hour in November. He added that holiday pay accrued by overtime work should match normal rates.

However, he said: “If they commit to talking to us and we think they’re serious we have the power to suspend strike action. We’re reasonable.”

But he added: “Until they sit down and negotiate then the notice for industrial action stands.”

Kasab also thanked the Mayor for his role in the dispute, and suggested the council could broker negotiations.