Barclays Bank cleaners demand a 'Living Wage now!'

Barclays was named the worst payer of cleaners out of the big banks at Canary Wharf as crowds of cleaners and London Citizens faith communities rallied last week to demand the London living wage be paid to the cleaners by the multinational banks and law firms that occupy the Wharf.

Earlier this month the Mayor of London announced that the London living wage has risen to £7.20ph, so Canary Wharf cleaners, backed by London Citizens and their union, Unite (T&G section) have launched their claim for what experts believe the minimum hourly rate is that anyone can afford to live on in London. Cleaners at Barclays at Canary Wharf earn just £6.40ph, and those at Barclays Wealth earn a measly £6.18ph, winning Barclays the Golden Vacuum award for "sucking its cleaners dry", which was presented to the bank at Canary Wharf. Barclays made £5.28bn profit last year, and their highest paid director earned £3m alone.

During the demonstration, the Barclays cleaners, supported by Jim Fitzpatrick MP (Minister for London) and a delegation of Catholic, Methodist, Anglican and Pentecostal clergy, left the main event to visit Barclays HQ and confront the Director of Facilities over the poverty wages paid to cleaners.

Unite has warned that whilst Barclays is the worst payer, none of the major banks or law firms at Canary Wharf are yet paying the London living wage, and many are still not paying their cleaners sick pay, a pension, or 28 days holidays. Wages and conditions have risen over the last two years thanks to a campaign by Unite and London Citizens, yet as well as being the lowest payer of cleaners, Barclays is also the only major institution at the Wharf to employ a contractor that does not recognise the union.

Paul Davies, lead organiser, Unite (T&G section) said: "Barclays is one of the richest banks in the world and it can easily afford to pay its cleaners the London Living Wage to clean their plush Canary Wharf offices. They are alone at Canary Wharf in employing a contractor that has not recognised the union. Today cleaners and the community will stand together to demand the cleaners at every rich bank, law firm and multinational receive a London living wage and respect."

Reverend Angus Ritchie, London Citizens, said: "When Barclays pays poverty wages to its cleaners, it's the community that suffers. Our churches, mosques and schools struggle because of the shameful practices of these highly profitable multinational banks. We call on all the major banks on Canary Wharf to become Living Wage Employers. Barclays can afford to pay the price - our communities can't."