Cleaners This factsheet sets out any relevant industry agreements and examples of company pay rates which workers can use to check that they’re getting the ‘going rate’ for their job and as evidence to assist in negotiating a better pay deal. See our Get a better deal leaflet for more tips. The National Minimum Wage is the absolute minimum rate at which any worker (aged 18 and over) can be paid. Pay above this remains a matter of negotiation between the employer and worker, union or works council. Click here for the current rates. Average Wages According to the government’s New Earnings Survey for 2001 (latest figures available), the average earnings for cleaners and domestics are as follows: annually hourly Cleaners, domestics £11,126 £5.36 NB. annual rates include overtime and bonus payments, hourly rates do not. Industry Agreements There are set pay rates for cleaners employed by a local authority or the NHS which apply nationally. In recent years there have been moves within the public sector towards local flexibility, but these rates are still important. If you work for a local authority in England and Wales, or the NHS, and are employed on national terms you can use the information below to check you’re getting the correct rate. If you work for a private company, or for an NHS Trust or similar body, you can use these rates as a guide to help you negotiate your pay. Local Authorities (England and Wales) From: 1.4.01. For: 37 hr week Grade 1 School cleaner £9,267 Holidays: 22 days, 25 after 5 years Local Authorities (Greater London) From 1.2.01. For: 37 hr week Inner Outer Grade 1 School cleaner £11,931 £11,214 Holidays: 22 days, 25 after 5 years NHS Ancillary Staff From 1.4.01. For: 39 hr week Min Max Scale B Cleaners £163.66 £169.58 Holidays: 20 days, 25 after 10 years London allowances: London zone-£36.12 p/wk; fringe-£4.57p/wk Cleaners working in certain industries may be covered by an 'industry agreement'. These are voluntary agreements negotiated between employers and unions on a national or regional basis. Employers who are party them are 'honour bound' to pay at least the minimum rates agreed. Check with your employer or your union if you have one to find out if you're covered. Vehicle Building Industry Joint Wages Board From 1.1.01. For: 39 hr week Vehicle cleaner £175.36pw min Holidays: 22 days Allowances: nightshift- plus 25% British Box and Packaging Association From 6.8.01. For: 37.5 hr week Cleaner £160.14pw min Holidays: 25 days Company Rates Rates can vary widely depending on the type of cleaning you do and the sector you work in. These are examples of rates paid: MANUFACTURING Imperial Tobacco From: 1.5.01. For: 35 hr week Wage: £296.05 Holidays: 25 days Allowances: doubleday shift- plus 17.7% Ethicon From: 1.1.01. For: 39 hr week Wage: £10,418 - £12,503 Holidays: 25 days Allowances: doubleday shift- plus £67.02 RETAIL Woolworths From: 1.10.01. For: 39 hr week Wage: £165.48 (min) Holidays: 22 days, 24 after 5 years Allowances: Inner London- £20.88 pw; outer-£11.37pw; metropolitan-£5.17pw Waterstones From: 1.5.01. For: 37.5 hr week Wage: £4.16phr Holidays: 22 days, 24 after 2 years Allowances: West End-£2,800pa; Inner London- £2,476pa; outer- £1,292pa; large towns- £430pa PUBLIC SECTOR Shaftesbury Society From 1.4.01. For: 39 hr week Wage: £8,359 - £10,146pa Holidays: 23 days, 28 after 5 years Broomleigh Housing Association From 1.4.01. For: 36 hr week Wage: £4.84phr (estates) £5.26phr(sheltered housing) Holidays: 20 days Your rights Once pay rates have been agreed, they form part of the worker's terms and conditions and you have the right to be paid the agreed rate. Employers cannot change any term of a contract without the worker's agreement. See our leaflet on terms and conditions Low Pay Unit, Jan 2002 Please note that some information contained in this sheet is from IDS Pay Benchmark Directory, November 2001 (produced by Incomes Data Services (www.incomesdata.co.uk)) TOP