South London School Cleaners Fight FOR LONDON LIVING WAGE

Migrant cleaners at Ark Globe Academy in South London, employed by contractor Atlas Cleaning Limited, fought to win the London Living Wage in 2020, but in 2026 this was abruptly stopped. Now they can’t make ends meet.

“For months, we have lived with the constant anxiety of not knowing whether we will be paid correctly, whether money will be missing from our wages, or whether we will once again have to fight for salaries we have already earned through our hard work. This is not an isolated mistake — we believe it reflects a systematic lack of respect toward the people who do the hardest and lowest-paid work.” Maria, school cleaner, UVW member and single mother of two.

Imagine campaigning successfully for the London Living Wage, receiving it for five years, and then suddenly being told that you will no longer receive the full pay increase you were expecting and relying on.

That is exactly what has happened to cleaners at Ark Globe Academy.

After fighting to win the London Living Wage in 2020, they received it year after year. But in 2026, this stopped and now the cleaners are struggling to make ends meet.

Repeated payroll errors, late wage payments, and pay that fails to keep pace with the cost of living are causing financial hardship and stress for workers and their families.

These workers helped secure fair pay through collective action.

They should not now be pushed backwards.

They deserve decent wages and respect!