Buck House cleaners get a result

BACK in April I blogged about the campaign to win better pay for the cleaners at Buckingham Palace. Working amid such opulent surroundings they were getting less than the living wage. The issue got good publicity and was raised in Parliament, Campaigners in the Public and Commercial Service (PCS) union even turned up among the tourists outside the Palace during the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, to make sure the downstairs side of Palace life was not forgotten.

It's good to report that persistance and initiative seem to have worked. Today via Facebook we received this message:
We're nearly there! Thanks everyone for your support on this, on behalf of our PCS members working as cleaners in the royal household. It has not been the easiest of times, but we've got there in the end! In solidarity Lizzie

That's not Lizzie Windsor, by the way. Here's the report from the PCS to which our FB friend directed us:

Big pay rise for Buckingham Palace cleaners

17 October 2011

The Queen's cleaners have won a 16% pay rise after a campaign by PCS.

The low-paid workers, who keep Buckingham Palace spic and span every day, will see their pay rise from £6.45 to £7.50 an hour from 1 November.

Contract company KGB Cleaning – which employs the workers – has promised there will be no cuts to jobs or hours to pay for the rise.

Cleaners have also been given new changing rooms with lockers.

The union campaign included a demonstration during Prince William and Kate Middleton’s royal wedding celebrations.

The rise will be paid to cleaners working in Buckingham Palace and Buckingham Palace Mews.

http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/6585206A-3ED8-42E2-A96040DD6FC6CA3A#.TpwtI1NjBt4.facebook