I met with Unite representatives and I’m backing the Sheffield University cleaners’ campaign for a £10 hourly wage.

I stand shoulder to shoulder with these women and the Unite campaign for £10 per hour for all cleaning staff at the University. I met with these hard-working women because I want to hear first-hand from them about the financial struggles they face and how I can help.

Throughout the pandemic they’ve worked hard to keep others safe and it’s time that we stand by them now.

Last week cleaners launched their campaign to call on the University’s management to put an end to poverty pay and deliver an hourly wage of £10 hour. Louise Haigh heard first-hand what working conditions are like for the workers at Sheffield University and what she can do to support the cleaner’s campaign for £10 an hour.

Most cleaners work a 20-hour week, which means it would take them almost 30 years to earn Vice Chancellor, Koen Lambert’s annual £285,000 salary and his total remuneration is £346.955. The workers currently earn just £9.52 an hour and most take home just £9,900 a year. The University employs around 300 cleaners who are overwhelmingly women.

Unite regional officer Harriet Eisner said: “Support is growing for cleaners at Sheffield University. Their demand for an extra 48p an hour is a reasonable one. It’s time to recognise their hard work with a fair wage of £10 an hour. It’s time for Vice Chancellor, Koen Lambert to end poverty pay at Sheffield University.”