School cleaners call off Hackney strike

Middle man: Mayor Philip Glanville helped with the negotiations

School cleaners at six Hackney schools have cancelled a planned strike next week, trade union Unite has revealed.

The Citizen reported earlier this month that more than 40 employees of OSC Group, part of services firm Kier, had threatened to down tools for four days in a dispute over pay and conditions.

But Unite’s regional officer Onay Kasab confirmed a deal has now been reached to ward off industrial action.

He said: “Following discussions involving ourselves, Kier and the council, I am very pleased to say that we have reached a position where our members on all year round contracts will retain these contracts.

“Kier will also go through a process whereby those staff already on term-time contracts will be able to request that they too are placed on all year round contracts.

“The final decision will be based on how many requests come in and finance will be a factor. However, from our point of view this is very much moving in the right direction.

“In addition, Kier agreed to move the date for increasing the London Living Wage from April to the earlier date of February 10.

“The offer was made on the basis that we lift the threat of action next week – which we have agreed to do.”

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

Unite had warned that rubbish would go uncollected and toilets left unclean, but later told the Citizen it was willing to sit down and talk to Kier to avoid strike action.

Kasab previously thanked Hackney’s Mayor Philip Glanville for helping with the negotiations.

Glanville said: “I’m glad that this dispute has been resolved amicably and happy to be able to reassure pupils, parents and staff that the proposed strike has been called off.

“I am proud that Hackney is a London Living Wage borough and pleased to hear that the cleaners will now be receiving the increased rate in February rather than April as originally planned.

“I also understand through my conversations with Unite and Kier that it has been agreed to review and hold further talks with staff in relation to contracted hours.”