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Civil service cleaning staff face cuts, union warns

BBC Ryan Wilson with short, dark hair looks into the camera at a Nipsa picket line. He is holding a red Nipsa sign and a red flag. He is surrounded by people who are also holding red and blue Nipsa flags.BBC
Nipsa's Ryan Wilson said less staff will be asked to do more

Cleaning staff at civil service sites are facing reduced hours or redundancies under cost-saving proposals, a trade union has warned.

Contractor Aramark has proposed cutting 1535 cleaning hours per week across 162 sites, according to Nipsa official Ryan Wilson.

The firm said it is "committed to providing our clients with the best possible solutions for their business needs".

The Department of Finance (DoF), which oversees outsourced services, said decisions in relation to the workforce "are taken by the contractor".

'Fewer staff asked to do more'

Getty Images A white sweeping robot cleans the tiled floors of a large hall. The robot is square shaped and has a dark coloured side with a blue light. It is on wheels and has black brushes which clean the floor.Getty Images
Aramark said 'cleaning services can in some cases incorporate co-botics', such as automated floor scrubbers

The plans could see "fewer staff being asked to do more work while robots and automation are brought in to replace them", Mr Wilson told BBC's Nolan Show.

At one site, the Department of Health's Castle Buildings headquarters, there is a proposal to reduce cleaning hours by up to 60%, as first reported by the Newsletter.

"They currently have 300 hours cleaning per week, the proposal on the table is to slash that by 175 hours…to replace some of that work, they're proposing two robot cleaners to be introduced," Mr Wilson said.

"How can anybody expect the same level of cleanliness, the same hygiene standards, when over half the hours are gone and the work is supplemented by machines instead of human workers? That's just one example.

"If this was [about] efficiency we would be talking about improving standards, not about slashing over 1500 cleaning hours a week."

Aramark has entered into consultation with Nipsa and GMB trade unions and has shared documentation on their proposal to cut hours across the 162 sites.

Mr Wilson said "it has been made clear" that Aramark want to make "changes" before the contract is due to start on 1 April.

'Advancements in technology'

Aramark said it is committed to providing its clients "with the best possible solutions for their business needs".

"As we see various advances in technologies and AI, our cleaning services can in some cases incorporate co-botics and various other innovative solutions," a spokesperson said.

"These technologies work alongside our team, not in isolation, to create more efficient ways of working while also offering enhanced environmental benefits.

"However, similar to other industries, these advancements in technology may impact the way in which our teams have traditionally worked."

The firm said it has been "open and transparent" with all stakeholders, adding they have "proactively reached out to relevant unions" and are currently working "to communicate closely with our colleagues via a comprehensive consultation process".

A DoF spokesperson said the department "facilitates the procurement of a range of outsourced services".

"The NICS cleaning contract must meet a specified standard in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract which includes payment of the real Living Wage," the spokesperson said.

"Decisions in relation to the workforce are taken by the contractor."

The spokesperson added that the department will "continue to engage" with "trade unions and the contractor" on these matters.