29.04.2026 / Press releases / Justice for Cleaners

Hackney Council accused of bullying, harassment, and discrimination of migrant cleaner 

• A migrant cleaner accuses Hackney Council of bullying, harassment, and discrimination. 

• Maryori Pacheco Masias, a member of United Voices of the World union (UVW), originally from Colombia has worked for Hackney Council since April 2019. 

• The council has cut her hours without consultation and cut her income. 

• UVW is concerned this case may reflect a broader pattern affecting cleaners and other council staff. 

• Hackney Council has made strong public commitments to supporting migrant workers and being a “Borough of Sanctuary”. 
   

Maryori Pacheco Masias, a migrant cleaner, is taking Hackney Council to court for discrimination and breach of contract. The case arises from her grievance concerning menopause-related health and wellbeing concerns, and the cutting of her working hours without consultation, resulting in a loss of pay. She further alleges that Hackney Council repeatedly failed to address her concerns or implement reasonable adjustments. 

Maryori, originally from Colombia, and member of United Voices of the World union (UVW) has worked for Hackney Council since April 2019 — first through contractor Atlain Servest and directly employed since January 2021. Over seven years, she has consistently worked 35 hours per week, beginning her shifts at 6:00am (later 6:30am) at Clapton Park Children’s Centre, alongside additional duties at other sites. 

In February 2026, management abruptly instructed Maryori to begin work at 5:00am — a start time she has never worked in her entire employment. When she explained that this was not feasible, particularly due to the impact of menopause on her health and wellbeing, her concerns were dismissed. Management falsely claimed that 5:00am had always been her contractual start time. 

At the same time, Hackney Council unilaterally reduced her working hours from 35 to just 20 hours per week, arguing that 15 of those hours had been “overtime.” In reality, these hours formed part of her regular working pattern over many years and had become contractual through custom and practice. As a result, Maryori has suffered a sudden and severe loss of income, pushing her into financial hardship. 

Maryori submitted a formal grievance on 10 February 2026, raising concerns of bullying, harassment, and discrimination. However, the process has been plagued by delays and procedural failures. A grievance hearing was only convened after six weeks and was then abruptly adjourned before Maryori or her UVW representative could present their case. Despite repeated requests, the hearing has not been reconvened, and no outcome has been issued. 

In parallel, Maryori submitted a statutory flexible working request to formalise her long-standing 6:30am start time. This request has been completely ignored. 

Repeated attempts by UVW to engage Hackney Council — including multiple emails to senior Human resources management — have gone unanswered. Maryori herself has received no direct communication from the Council. 

UVW believes Hackney Council’s actions raise serious legal concerns, including unlawful changes to contract, unlawful deduction of wages, and failure to make reasonable adjustments related to menopause, which may constitute a disability under the Equality Act 2010. The Council’s failure to follow its own procedures and the ACAS Code of Practice further compounds these issues. 

The impact on Maryori has been profound, including financial insecurity, stress, and a period of sickness absence directly linked to her treatment at work. 
 
Maryori Pacheco Masias, UVW member said  

“As an immigrant woman in Hackney, I ask for greater appreciation and respect from employers. In my experience, workers like me are too often made to feel undervalued and pushed around. I have felt bullied despite giving 100 percent of myself at work. It is not fair that at the slightest issue, workers can be made to feel belittled and pushed out as though they are worth nothing.” 

Petros Elia, UVW General Secretary, said:  

“Hackney Council has made strong public commitments to supporting migrant workers, to being a “Borough of Sanctuary,” and to treating all workers with dignity and fairness. Maryori’s experience tells a very different story. Ignoring her health, cutting her pay, and failing to follow basic procedures is unacceptable and is the kind of behaviour we expect from exploitative private contractors — not a public authority. We are concerned this may not be an isolated case, but part of a wider pattern where there is no respect at all. affecting cleaners and other low-paid staff. Hackney Council must immediately put this right.” 

UVW is calling on Hackney Council to: 

• Reinstate Maryori’s full 35-hour contract and repay all lost wages 

• Reconvene and conclude her grievance and flexible working request without further delay 

• Engage meaningfully with her union to reach a fair resolution 

For further information, contact the UVW communications team:
       

Isabel: 07706 987443   

Cristina: 07548 759340   

Email: comms@uvwunion.org.uk        

About UVW          

United Voices of the World (UVW) is a grassroots union representing low-paid, insecure, and predominantly migrant and BAME workers, including cleaners, concierges, couriers, carers, and hospitality staff across London.       

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