Outsourced cleaners at a prestigious Dulwich private school have called off their strike after reaching an agreement with their employer, their union has claimed.
Cleaners at James Allen’s Girls’ School, who were employed by DB Services, will have ‘pay cuts’ reversed and backdated, get full sick pay, and compensation for lost hours, United Voices of the World union has claimed.
Rosa Garces Chinche, JAGS cleaner and UVW member, said she was “very happy” with the result.
UVW members were set to strike for three days this week, claiming they were set to lose five weeks’ work without proper consultation.
DB Services has raised their wages from £11.55 to £13.15 per hour to make up for it, only to slash wages back to £11.55 when workers refused to sign the contracts, UVW claimed.
JAGS does not directly employ the cleaners but had reportedly been criticised by local parents and former pupil Dr Marcela Pizarro for failing to support the their cleaners.
Rosa Garces Chinche, JAGS cleaner and UVW member, said: “I am very happy with what we won today, we achieved a lot especially considering for many of us it was the first time we were in a union.”
Petros Elia, general secretary for UVW, said: “We’re pleased the strike action can be avoided and that JAGS – the oldest independent girls’ school in London – will finally treat their cleaners with dignity and respect!”
JAGS and DB Services were approached for comment.
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