End Discrimination at the Royal Parks

PCS and UVW union members employed by Just Ask Estates Service Ltd at London’s Royal Parks will take the first day of series of strikes on Friday 30 July 2021 to demand equal pay and conditions with their directly employed colleagues. 

 We are crowdfunding for their strike fund so that they can end discrimination at the Royal Parks and win equal treatment with their directly employed colleagues. 

 In March 2021, the Royal Parks awarded the Public Toilets and Buildings Cleaning contract to Just Ask and chose to select a tender that meant staff would receive statutory minimum:

• sick pay, 
• maternity pay, 
• annual leave, and,
• pension entitlement.

Conversely, Royal Parks' directly employed staff enjoy full pay when sick, employer funded maternity pay and far better paid holiday and pension entitlement.  

When making this decision, the Royal Parks failed to consider the equality impact. Around 90% of their in-house staff are white, whilst staff working on the outsourced cleaning contract are 90% Black and Minority Ethnic. As a public body they have a legal duty to do this. The outcome has been the creation of a discriminatory, two tier workforce. 

 The wider impact

This dispute could result in all public bodies being required to take into account the discriminatory effect of having double standards between their directly employed staff and their (predominantly BAME) outsourced workforces. This would translate into a more just and equal society for all.

 We appreciate any contribution you are able to afford.  

Thank you for your support and solidarity!