Call for justice for BMA cleaning workers

The Industrial Workers of the World union are calling for a Living Wage and improved working conditions for the cleaners who work at the Head Quarters of the British Medical Association in London.

Submitted by IWW Europe on October 1, 2012

The cleaner’s employment is outsourced to a contractor (currently Interserve PLC) and they, like far too many Londoners, have been earning poverty wages of £6.08 p/h. They need and deserve the London Living Wage (LLW) of £8.30 p/h. To quote the Mayor of London whose office sets the LLW:

“Londoners deserve proper reward for their labours, and I’m delighted that a growing number of organisations recognise that it suits them as well as their staff to pay the London Living Wage”

The cleaners and their IWW union reps recently met with Interserve management to demand a Living Wage with no job or hours cuts. The BMA are now entering contractual negotiations with Interserve, looking for “value for money”. So far however, the BMA have refused to meet the people who clean their building.

The BMA, as a Trade Union and not for profit organisation, rightly puts their members employment issues at the very heart of what they do and campaign for public support against aggressive attacks (including privatisation and sub-contracting) on the NHS and the pay and condition of medical staff whose proud duty it is to serve the public.

We, as the cleaners Trade Union, believe that it is also in the interests of the BMA (and therefore BMA members) that all those who work for such a highly esteemed organisation (including all outsourced staff), are treated with dignity and fairly rewarded for their labour with a Living Wage. This represents true “value for money” and the BMA should use the current contract negotiations to make it happen.

We call on all BMA members, as medical practitioners, and staff as well as the general public who use the NHS to support the cleaners' demand for a Living Wage and access to a healthier life.

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IWW Cleaners and Allied Industries Union - BMA Job Branch

London IWW General Membership Branch

Awareness Rally and Leafleting Session on Tuesday 2nd October 4:00pm till 6:00 pm (IWW union flags, placards & literature only pls.)

Click here for Facebook Event page

BMA House Tavistock Square London WC1H 9JP (click for google+ info & map)

(see leaflet attached)

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