James Allen’s Girls’ School, a prestigious school in London, faces industrial action by union members for low-paid migrant workers.
Cleaners at one of the nation’s most elite private girls’ schools voted for strike action after unexpectedly being told that they would lose five weeks of work a year.
The dispute started at the James Allen Girls’ School (Jags) in Dulwich, southeast London, founded in 1741. Earlier this year, a National Education Union teacher went on strike at the school over planned changes to their pensions.
Nearly twenty members of United Voices of the World (UVW), a grassroots trade union for low-paid migrant workers, are taking industrial action against the school, which has over nine hectares (22 acres) of playing ground, a purpose-built theatre, and an ozone-filtered swimming pool.
Some of the staff have cleaned the school for years. They claim that the contract modification will result in a 38-hour workweek instead of 43, was implemented without their consent, and is deeply unfair.
Teachers at Jags and other independent schools have faced attempted strike action to change their pension arrangement after employer’s contribution to the teacher’s pension scheme rose by 29%. There are also concerns in the sector over the incoming government’s intentions to add VAT to school fees.
Brooker Prize-winning author Anita Brookner and former Conservative minister Claire Coutinho are among the Dulwich School’s alumnae. According to the school, the hours dispute was caused by a change in the school’s cleaning requirement during the holiday and a disagreement between the cleaners and contractors they work for.
A Jags spokesperson states, “The disputed employment arrangements are directly between the employer, DB Services, and their staff. These developments have nothing to do with VAT on school fees but reflect a change to the school’s requirements during school holidays.”
Several former students, including the portrait painter Rebecca Cartwright, have written to the headteacher, Alex Hutchinson, expressing their displeasure, saying: “Shame on Jags. When a company’s contract works out, it creates the conditions of work for the employees who do the work for the contracting company through the terms of the contract itself.”
“A privileged institution like Jags should be setting an example in their employment practices, to other institutions and to their pupils.”
Gloria Chalaco, 48, has been a cleaner for Jags for the past two years. She is originally from Ecuador, has three grown children and four grandchildren, and struggles to pay her bills after breaking up with her partner.
She works from 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. at the school, 8:30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. at the theater, and 3:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. back at the school for more cleaning.
Chalaco stated, “It’s hard to have to work so many hours, but I have no choice. I have to pay all the bills.” She is trying to earn more now because she knows she is getting older and will not be able to work many hours.
“We are ready to strike because losing five weeks of work per year is deeply unfair. Our bills and rent don’t stop. On top of that, we don’t have sick pay. When we get sick, we either work while ill or lose pay. They don’t respect us, the cleaners, as people with the same needs and rights as everyone else,”
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According to Guido Fabian Guallichico, who has worked as a cleaner at Jags for 12 years, “We are demanding our rights as workers because cleaners are treated as if we have no rights, as if we don’t matter. But we are workers like everyone else and we want our rights to be respected.”
The school also replied, “We value everyone who contributes to life at Jags and we are confident that DB Services and its staff can work together to find a constructive solution. If during the negotiations between the union and DB Services there is anything with which Jags can assist, we will carefully consider any points raised.”
