Diane Abbott: Cleaners More Important than Bankers
October 29th 2009

Diane Abbot, MP for North Hackney, was among a number of influential signees of UNISON's campaign 'A Million Voices for Change' at the Labour Party conference, held at the end of September in Brighton.

The campaign calls for changes to put people before profit and public interest before private greed. UNISON represents 1.3 million public service workers – and it is these people who are at the frontline dealing with the impact of the recession.

When quizzed about the importance of the work cleaners do compared with the financial sector Ms Abbott said:"People need to realise that without the work of people in public services, society would collapse. We could live without investment bankers but not hospital cleaners, teaching assistants and refuse collectors."

Speaking on behalf of the British Cleaning Council, Andrew Large responded."One of the most remarkable developments of this recession is how the focus of the debate has shifted away from those responsible in the private sector, towards demanding that somehow the public sector should suffer.

"Therefore, it is encouraging to see politicians recognise the indispensible value and comprehensive benefits the cleaning industry brings to everyone. No matter what happens in the world, hospitals, schools and offices need cleaners; the work they do is vital to the nation’s health, wellbeing and economy."

Click here to visit www.unison.org.uk