20/07/2005
Cleaners picket parliament in pay dispute
Peers and MPs attending the Houses of Parliament today had to cross a picket line as cleaners staged their first ever strike.
Around 170 members of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) were holding the one-day strike over pay and holiday entitlements.
The TGWU had earlier written to MPs asking for their support including a request to join them on the picket line.
The cleaners, who are employed by two agencies are paid £5 an hour with no company sick pay or pension scheme and have 12 days off a year, are campaigning for £6.70 per hour; 20 days (+ 8 public days) holiday; sick pay; company pension and "dignity and respect".
TGWU Deputy General Secretary Jack Dromey said: "Parliament should be ashamed of poverty pay in the home of democracy. A living wage, decent conditions and respect at work are only possible if the Parliamentary Authorities now act. The cleaners deserve it and the public expect it."
Shahid Malik, MP for Dewsbury, who put down an Early Day Motion in Parliament which has 129 signatories, said: "I came into politics to make poverty history, not to tolerate it for cleaners in the Houses of Parliament. If we can't get these hardworking and dedicated people a living wage it undermines confidence in what we can do for others around the country."
(SP/GB)
Around 170 members of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) were holding the one-day strike over pay and holiday entitlements.
The TGWU had earlier written to MPs asking for their support including a request to join them on the picket line.
The cleaners, who are employed by two agencies are paid £5 an hour with no company sick pay or pension scheme and have 12 days off a year, are campaigning for £6.70 per hour; 20 days (+ 8 public days) holiday; sick pay; company pension and "dignity and respect".
TGWU Deputy General Secretary Jack Dromey said: "Parliament should be ashamed of poverty pay in the home of democracy. A living wage, decent conditions and respect at work are only possible if the Parliamentary Authorities now act. The cleaners deserve it and the public expect it."
Shahid Malik, MP for Dewsbury, who put down an Early Day Motion in Parliament which has 129 signatories, said: "I came into politics to make poverty history, not to tolerate it for cleaners in the Houses of Parliament. If we can't get these hardworking and dedicated people a living wage it undermines confidence in what we can do for others around the country."
(SP/GB)
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Cleaners in the Houses of Parliament are staging another 24-hour strike, as part of an ongoing pay dispute. Around 140 cleaners have demanded a pay increase – from £5.20 per hour to £6.70 – as well as improvements in their working conditions, including the provision of sick pay and pensions.
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Parliament cleaners receive pay rise
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