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30.06.2026 / News /

Migrant cleaners at South London school Ark Globe Academy vote for strike action 

• Outsourced migrant cleaners at Ark Globe Academy have voted unanimously to take strike action in their fight to restore the full London Living Wage. 
• Every worker, members of United Voices of the World union (UVW), who took part in the ballot voted YES, delivering a 100% mandate for industrial action. 
• The campaign has won support from the local community: National Education Union (NEU) members, teachers across Southwark, and local Green Party councillors. 
• Letters have been sent urging Atlas Cleaning Limited and Ark Globe Academy to restore the London Living Wage, addressed to Tina Alexandrou (Chair of the Ark Schools Board), Lucy Heller (CEO of Ark Schools), Matt Jones (Principal of Ark Globe Academy), and Ed Bolton (Managing Director of Atlas Cleaning Limited). 
• Workers continue to demand restoration of the full London Living Wage, an end to payroll errors and fair treatment at work. 

Outsourced migrant cleaners, members of United Voices of the World (UVW), at Ark Globe Academy in South London have voted unanimously to take strike action after months of campaigning to restore the full London Living Wage and address persistent payroll issues. 

Every worker who participated in the ballot voted YES for industrial action, giving a 100% mandate to strike. 

The cleaners, employed by subcontractor Atlas Cleaning Limited, won the London Living Wage in 2020 and have consistently received it over the past five years. However, from 1 April 2026 they were given only a partial uplift to £14.27 per hour, marking the first time the full annual increase has not been implemented.  Months of payroll errors and delayed wage corrections have also left many workers struggling to pay rent, bills and other essential living costs. 

Atlas Cleaning Limited has told UVW that it cannot fully implement the 2026 London Living Wage increase because of contractual arrangements with Ark Globe Academy. The school told UVW that it decided “to pause alignment to the Real Living Wage for this financial year” due to wider financial pressures across the organisation and education sector. 

According to publicly available accounts, Ark Chief Executive Lucy Heller received annual remuneration of £216,300, while the school’s outsourced cleaners currently earn £14.27 per hour. 

The cleaners’ campaign has attracted growing support from the local community, including National Education Union (NEU) members, teachers across Southwark, and residents; Green Party councillors have also backed the workers’ call for fair pay and treatment. 

As part of the campaign, letters have been sent calling on Atlas Cleaning Limited and Ark Globe Academy to resolve the dispute by restoring the London Living Wage. The letters were addressed to Tina Alexandrou, Chair of the Ark Schools Board; Lucy Heller, CEO of Ark Schools; Matt Jones, Principal of Ark Globe Academy; and Ed Bolton, Managing Director of Atlas Cleaning Limited. 

A school cleaner and UVW member who wishes to remain anonymous said:  

“The result of this vote shows that when we as workers unite, our voice is powerful and capable of driving real change. 

This vote is much more than an endorsement of a strike: it is a clear message that we have a say in the decisions that affect our working conditions, wages, and the respect we receive on the job. 

We as cleaning staff are the lowest-paid workers in schools, yet we perform essential work to ensure the safety, health and well-being of the entire school community. 

When workers like us have the opportunity to decide collectively, we demonstrate that we can influence our future. This vote is proof that our voice matters and that we are determined to achieve real improvements in our working conditions and wages. We will no longer be invisible.” 
 
Nelly Ospino, UVW General Secretary, said: 

“This unanimous vote sends a clear message. These cleaners have done everything they could to resolve this dispute without industrial action, but they have been left with no other option. They are simply asking to receive the full London Living Wage they have been paid for the last five years, alongside a decent pay, every worker deserves respect. 

The support they have received from teachers, parents, the wider community and elected representatives shows this dispute is about more than pay. It is about whether schools that champion fairness and opportunity will extend those same values to the outsourced migrant workers who keep them running every day. 

Outsourcing continues to create a two-tier workforce where migrant workers bear the cost of financial pressures. These cleaners have voted together because they know that collective action is the strongest way to win justice.” 

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 Black and minority ethnic workers, including cleaners, concierges, couriers, carers and hospitality staff across London. 

About the Justice for School Cleaners campaign, visit here >> 

ENDS

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