OUTSOURCED facilities workers at office buildings for the Department for Education declared victory in a long-running dispute today.

Members of the United Voices of the World (UVW) union, working at DfE’s Sanctuary Buildings, staged two strikes after the predominantly migrant workforce demanded equal treatment to the civil servants in the same building.

A third strike was called off in July to allow for negotiations with ISS, the department’s contractor. 

They have secured a one-off bonus of up to £2,500 per worker, full sick pay and more holiday.

Cleaner Gloria Mancera said: “Although we haven’t yet achieved full parity with civil servants, the improvements are substantial, and we are on the path to the equality we’ve fought so hard for.”

UVW general secretary Petros Elia said: “The only way we will end the structural inequality created by outsourcing is through strike action. 

“We will continue to do everything we can to help low-paid, migrant and precarious workers fight the bosses for dignity and respect.”