Public and Commercial Services Union
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Royal watchers asked to back living wage for cleaners
The union will be outside the gates to Buckingham Palace from 12 noon to 2pm tomorrow with a giant 'fair pay for royal cleaners' card for members of the public to sign. Supporters are being asked to bring mops and buckets.
Cleaners in Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace and Clarence House who are paid just £6.45 an hour are campaigning for an increase to the 'London living wage' of £7.85 an hour.
The London living wage, introduced by previous Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and endorsed by current mayor Boris Johnson, is paid to cleaners in the houses of parliament.
The royal cleaners are employed by two private contractors, KGB Holdings and Greenzone, but the union believes ultimate responsibility rests with the Royal Household, which receives around £30 million a year from taxpayers - half of which is for upkeep of the occupied palaces.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "As the royals prepare for the prince's lavish wedding on Friday, our members are being treated like paupers.
"The royal family is seen as a major contributor to the tourist industry and many people visit London specifically to see the palaces. We'll be asking them to show their support for the people on poverty pay who keep these palaces clean."
