Westminster - The Mother of All Parliaments and The Payer of Crap Wages

(From Gallery News):

COMMONS: Union step up campaign for cleaners' pay
The Transport and General Workers Union have stepped up their challenge
today to the leaders of the main political parties and parliamentary
candidates to support the campaign for better pay for Palace of
Westminster cleaners.

Jack Dromey, Deputy General Secretary, said since launching the campaign
in February more than 250 MPs and peers have signed the Early Day Motion
in support of the campaign or written to offer support.
" That is welcome but we need now a commitment for action from all those
standing for parliament, " said Mr Dromey.

" The Early Day Motion (EDM) was put before the House of Commons by
Kevin McNamara MP. In it he recognised the invaluable and vital
contribution made by the cleaners and expressed dismay at
their low pay, as low as the minimum wage of £4.85 an hour, poor
holidays and no company sick pay or pension scheme.

" His motion called for the House authorities and the contractors that employ our cleaners to accept their claim for £6.70 per hour, 20 days
paid holiday per annum, company sick pay and a company pension to ensure
they receive a fair deal.

" Mr. McNamara's EDM has attracted not just the main cross party support
but the support of all political parties in the House of Commons. It is
believed to be the first time this has happened.

" The T&G will now be writing to the parliamentary candidates for all
the main political parties as well the party leaders. They will be
invited to affirm their support for the basic cleaners' claims and to
demand more money so the contractors can pay more.

" We are determined that the fine words and the declarations of support
are not swept under the carpet. While Parliament sleeps, our members
clean. They come from all over the world to look after the home of
democracy and it's a scandal that cleaners at the heart of parliamentary
democracy should earn the minimum wage."

ends