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Janitors in London Push for Higher Wages

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Building cleaners in London are wrapping up a three-day strike as they seek higher wages, The Guardian reports.

Most of the striking workers are migrants who are represented by the United Voices of the World (UVW) trade union. They held protests on Tuesday outside the Ministry of Justice and the offices of a west London council. The workers are seeking US$13.14 an hour, an amount advocated by the Living Wage Foundation, instead of the government-stipulated “national living wage” of $10.09 an hour. UVW representatives say the cleaners’ low wages require most of them to work two or three jobs to make ends meet.

The striking workers also are seeking sick pay and other benefits provided to in-house staff. The cleaners are hired and paid by an external contractor.