Jannies vow to fight on as lost wages hit £477,000

Around 100 janitors are currently embroiled in industrial action over pay.

The figures come as the janitors are said to be “more determined than ever” ahead of another two weeks of strike action starting today.

From today, the group will strike for another two weeks as part of their ongoing dispute with Cordia.

Since March last year, the janitors have taken 62 days of strike action but are said to be willing to continue to do so after janitorial reform proposals from Cordia were deemed not good enough to put an end to the issue which arose over working context payment.

A Unison spokesman said the working context payments would cost around £120,000 per year.  Proposals by Cordia include the clustering of janitors across more than one school which the union have described as a “real problem in operational terms” as they would leave schools without a janitor at certain points of the day, compromising health, safety and security.

The spokesman added: “The union and its members are encouraging families to contact their local councillors regarding the possibility of proposals going ahead.

“Unison offered Cordia a way out of the current industrial dispute by suggesting a de-coupling of the arrangements for a working context payment from the wider reform proposals. Cordia and the Council rejected this suggestion.

“The fight goes on.

Unison’s view is that “One School – One Janitor” is the best way to provide the janitorial service in our schools.

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said: “Our schools have been notified of the continuing strike action by a minority of our janitors and just like previous times, we are not expecting any disruption to services including school breakfast clubs.

“The council will continue to work with Cordia to ensure that our schools and nurseries will be open for business as usual.”

“However, parents and carers need to be aware that this is subject to change at short notice depending of local arrangements and circumstances.”