Union wins recognition at OCS

BECTU has signed a new recognition agreement with OCS, the BBC's main cleaning contractor in London.

Signed by OCS HR director Michael Whiteley, and BECTU official Feyi Raimi-Abraham, (pictured) the agreement covers more than 250 staff employed by the company.

Feyi Raimi-Abraham and Michael Whiteley sign the agreement

The union now represents this group of OCS employees for all collective purposes, including pay - the first agreement covering the company's cleaning staff at the BBC's buildings in West London.

OCS staff at Central London's Bush House in the mailroom and despatch areas are already represented by BECTU, as are the General Service Operatives in the same building.

BBC cleaning staff in London were first privatised in 1986, in an outsourcing exercise that included security, catering, and premises maintenance.