Sacked migrant cleaners are staging regular protests in the City of London. In April 2008 evening cleaners employed by Mitie Cleaning and Support Services to work in the Willis building near Liverpool Street won a battle to be paid the London Living Wage of £7.20 an hour. The management retaliated, first by changing shift patterns from evenings to overnight, and then by sacking five workers, Edwin Pazmino, Lucinda Villarroel, Domingas Dias, Etelvina Cristo and Cristina Sergio, who had been instrumental in the dispute.
Although the Mitie cleaners are members of Unite, and indeed were unionised through the union’s participation in the Justice for Cleaners campaign, the union is not supporting their current action. Instead support has come from Latin American groups, anarchist and communist activists and other groups of cleaners, who have fought or are still fighting similar struggles.
Join the demonstration every Friday 1-2pm at 51 Lime Street London EC3M 7DQ (nearest tube Liverpool Street or Bank; Bus 25). If you can’t make it to the demo, send a protest email on Fridays [email protected].
You can also email the Unite Regional Secretary: Steve.Hart@ unitetheunion.com asking the union to support its members.
Messages of support and requests for speakers can be emailed to [email protected] Readers can also telephone Edwin on 07931 464 890 or Alberto 07803 634 319.Richardson
FRFI 208 April / May 2009
