News

Tuesday, 15 June is International Justice Day. On this day cleaners and security workers mark their struggle for global justice and equality.



This year, unions representing property service workers in countries including Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Poland, The United States, New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, Malawi, Panama, and Tunisia have organised a series of events – many targeted at Santander and HSBC, as well as these banks’ cleaning and security contractors.



All of the unions are fighting for multinational companies to sign a Responsible Contractor Policy (RCP), ensuring they will only hire responsible contract companies who respect the rights of workers. The RCP is included as part of draft Global Agreements between workers and HSBC and Santander.



“The banking industry has some of the most glaring economic disparities in society. In many countries there are bank CEOs who earn multi-million dollar bonuses while the workers who clean and guard their facilities work 2-3 jobs in order to support their families. Today, on June 15, we call for fair pay and decent work for all finance workers,” said Alice Dale, UNI Property Services Director.



International Justice Day was first celebrated in the United States in 1990 and was established after cleaners in Los Angeles were beaten by police during a peaceful demonstration against a multinational cleaning firm. Pressure from cleaners who belonged to unions in other countries helped the Los Angeles cleaners eventually win justice.



UNI Global Union Property Services is coordinating its affiliates’ activities and demonstrations around the world commemorating International Justice Day.



For more information on the UNI campaign for Global Agreements at HSBC and Santander go to www.bankonrights.org.