Parliament cleaners strike for living wage

Cleaners at the Houses of Parliament took a day's strike action last month. They were protesting at pay rates of £5 an hour, no company sick pay and no company pension.

The picketing cleaners, organised by the T&G general union, were joined by around 20 Labour MPs as members of both Houses were warned they'd have to clean their own toilets and offices unless the dispute is settled.

Shahid Malik, MP for Dewsbury who put down an Early Day Motion on the subject said: "I came into politics to make poverty history, not tolerate it for cleaners in the Houses of Parliament."

Malik argues: "If we can't get these hard working and dedicated people a living wage it undermines confidence in what we can do for others around the country".

Some 250 MPs and Peers have expressed their support for the cleaners' campaign, but the Parliamentary authorities have refused to budge.

Jack Dromey, T&G deputy general secretary said: "The cleaners have waited years for justice and it has been six months since the T&G made their plight public".

Parliament should be ashamed, he added.

The union is claiming £6.70 per hour, 20 days' leave plus public holidays, and some "dignity and respect" for its members.