Union calls on Glasgow City Council to tackle school cleaner shortage
There are warnings children face going back to dirty classrooms if more isn't done.
A Scottish trade union is calling on political leaders to step in and fill vacancies for school cleaners.
UNISON says that schools cleaners in Glasgow are facing unacceptable workloads through a lack of staff and has been raising the need for more workers for months with senior council officers and the city’s political leaders.
Ingrid Bain, UNISON Steward, says: “Cordia and Glasgow City Council have reduced the number of staff by hundreds in recent years by not keeping on temporary workers who were covering permanent vacancies.
"All part of the cuts to council services which UNISON has consistently fought against.
"Workers are increasingly stressed out and overworked.
"Our schools are becoming dirtier.
"This is not the fault of school cleaners.
"We need more staff.”
The union is calling on all councillors to “walk the cleaning beat” with cleaners in their local schools.
A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said: “Our school cleaning staff carry out a valuable service in our schools and nurseries and take pride in being part of the team that keeps the school operating.
“Some vacant positions have taken a little longer than normal to fill but in those schools we will utilise all resources that are available."