Commons cleaners out again
WORKERS, NOV 2005 ISSUE
Transport and General Workers Union members who clean up in Parliament have decided to strike again, in a follow-up to their action in February and July, when 170 staff took to the picket line. They are only paid £5 an hour, while the MPs who make the mess earn over £60,000 a year. The union is demanding £6.70 an hour, the introduction of sick pay, pensions, and 20 days' holiday as well as public and bank holidays.
Currently they have no pension, limited holiday rights of 12 days a year and only statutory sick pay. There are health and safety issues in the form of the Lords' toilets, and the rat infested "dungeon" basement where the cleaners have their lunches.
The workers have been in dispute with contractors Mitie Cleaning and Emprise Services for several months with no prospect of a settlement. An early day motion signed by 156 MPs, which attempted to address the issue before the closure of parliament for the summer recess, met with jeering from other MPs. The prime minister had already washed his hands of the matter at question time, saying, "This is a matter for the House authorities".
Meanwhile the union has been drawing up a list of MPs who failed to support the workers' cause. This list will be published in a name-and-shame campaign if action goes ahead. The matter was also taken to the various party conferences over the summer.
MPs earn nearly £60,000 a year, with up to £40,000 in additional costs and incidental allowances, as well as substantial travel expenses for themselves and their families. And they have no contractual obligation to do any work at all. They also get up to £80,000 for office and secretarial costs. Ministers and whips earn even more, up to almost £75,000 for cabinet ministers and over £124,000 for the prime minister. There are also substantial pension benefits. As Jack Dromey, deputy general secretary of the union said, "Parliament should be ashamed of itself."