CORDIA must listen to parents.

That was the message of a protest outside Battlefield Primary School where parents picketed in defence of their school janitor.

Following a protest last Friday at Shawlands Primary, mums, dads and pupils stood in solidarity with janitor Peter.

Dozens gathered outside the school gates from 8.30am to show their support.

The protest comes as Cordia, the arm’s-length Glasgow city council firm in charge of janitorial services, plans to introduce 30 “operational clusters”, ending the system of one janitor per school.

The proposal will see the loss of 33 jobs from the 219 janitors employed in schools across Glasgow.

Caroline Arshad, co-chair of Battlefield Parent Council, said: “We have serious concerns about the janitorial reforms.

“Our concerns are not only related to the practicalities, but also the lack of transparency of the reforms and the lack of dialogue with parents on this issue.

“From the little information that has been provided, our main concerns regarding the practicalities of the reforms are that the health, safety, security and well being of our children, as well as the wider school community, may be compromised without a dedicated janitor.”

Shawlands Primary School’s janitor is also Peter and parents there defended him in a protest on Friday morning.

The two parent councils have been working together to show support for their janitors.

They have written to Cordia and the local politicians to voice their concerns.

Janitors have been on strike in relation to the proposals and the fact Cordia has refused to pay janitors Working Context and Demands Payments, which range from £500 to £1000 per year.

Under new plans, janitors would be given the new job title of “facilities assistants” and there would be 30 promoted posts of “facilities co-ordinators”.

Christine Meek, who has children at Battlefield Primary, said: “We need one janitor, one school to ensure the health and safety of our children.

“Janitors are a consistent and crucial member of the school staff - recognising people who shouldn’t be in the school, dealing with security and fire alarms and ensuring the school is free from hazards of all kinds.

“This requires one janitor covering one school consistently.

“The cluster model of five janitors covering eights schools spread out over three to four miles at least will not achieve the minimum health and safety standards to ensure the welfare of Glasgow’s school children.

“Peter, our janitor, is an integral part of our school community.

“Just as the staff and pupils do, he takes a pride in the school. His role is so much more than the duties he is expected to carry out.

“Many janitors have been in dispute with Cordia over the past year with no resolve but we hope that Cordia might listen to us as parents.”

A Cordia spokesman said “When implemented, the janitorial reform will ensure a modern facilities management service which meets the needs of the communities which Cordia serves.

“Janitorial staff will see their salaries increase while creating a pathway for promotion.”