Outsourcing of Old Bailey cleaners paused after GMB Union campaign
GMB Union wins a reprieve for Old Bailey cleaners who were due to be outsourced and urges the City of London to 'scrap the transfer'.
GMB Union, which represents members employed as cleaners at the Old Bailey (Central Criminal Court), have won a temporary reprieve for staff due to be outsourced.
Cleaning staff were due to be transferred to contractor OCS on 1 March.
Outsourced staff are at risk of worse pay and conditions than their directly employed colleagues, and OCS has a track record of poor working practices.
After GMB raised concerns about the transfer at a recent Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting, the City of London Corporation agreed to look at the proposal again.
Among the concerns raised were the speed of the transfer and the potential impact on the working conditions and job security of staff.
Anna Lee, GMB Regional Organiser, said:
“Staff were given very little warning that their employment would be transferred.
“Many members have worked at the Old Bailey for years and they felt betrayed by how they could be discarded so easily.
“At the JCC, we raised fundamental concerns about how this process has been conducted.
“The speed of this transfer gave the staff no opportunity to consider their options.
“We are glad the City have paused the process, but we urge them to go further – scrap the transfer and stop outsourcing services to companies like OCS who treat the staff poorly.”
A GMB member said:
“We want the City of London to stop this transfer.
“Many of us have been here for many years, and they shouldn’t be treating us like this.”
