Glasgow janitors industrial action enters its third week

120 UNISON Glasgow Branch members employed by Cordia as primary school janitors are now in their thrid week of official industrial action – involving a refusal to carry out a range of duties – in a pay dispute with Glasgow City Council. 98% voted to take action short of strike action and 95% for a strike if the dispute requires to be escalated.

Cordia, an ALEO of Glasgow City Council, is refusing to pay a Working Context and Demands Payment (WCD) to school janitors and is using spurious arguments to justify not making this payment. UNISON is very clear that school janitors meet the scoring criteria to be awarded a WCD payment. There are five levels of annual WCD payment ranging from just over £500 to over £1000.

The action has involved ceasing the duties of weeding, litter picking, snow clearing, salt spreading, leaf clearing, heavy lifting, spillage clearing and animal clearing.

Brian Smith, UNISON Glasgow Secretary, said: “UNISON is very clear that school janitors meet the criteria to be awarded this payment.

“It is just not credible in our view that the working context of a school janitor is the same as a senior council officer working in the city chambers in an office all day.

“That is what the current position of the Cordia Board in effect means. Thousands of workers in the council and its ALEOs who undertake dirty, heavy, smelly tasks and also work regularly outside receive a Working Context and Demands payment. Why are Cordia treating school janitors so unfairly?



”UNISON’s industrial action is solid and will continue until our members just claim is addressed. Cordia are spending up to £3,000 per day hiring replacement workers, taxis, vans, etc. They would be better getting round the table with UNISON. 

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