In the latest round of the Justice for Cleaners campaign, Cleaning company Lancaster have agreed to recognise the Transport & General Workers Union in the face of threatened protests. The company signed up just days before cleaners were due to begin a fast - now cancelled - in the City of London (see statement below):

We are five cleaners working in the City of London and Canary Wharf. For 16 months we have been part of the struggle for a living wage for cleaners across the capital. Cleaners work so hard but for very little in return; often no sick pay and no basic holiday pay and many companies will not work with the cleaners and our Union to help us overcome this poverty.

This week one of the major banks cleaned by our brothers and sisters - RBS – announced £9 Billion in profits. They can afford to treat their cleaners with dignity but do not. And they employ a contract cleaning company, Lancaster who has refused to recognize our Union or work with us to achieve a living wage for cleaners.

Now we have had enough. After much thought we have decided that next week we will fast for justice. We will refuse food starting Monday morning to draw attention to the plight of London cleaners.

In a few weeks time it will be Christmas, a time for families and celebration. But not for us and those we care for. City bosses may be celebrating billions of pounds in bonuses but we will be struggling to make ends meet.

Next week we will fast and we will continue to highlight the banks and some cleaning companies refusal accept their duty to their employees.

We are proud to fight for justice for cleaners. We are certain our fight is a just one. We are fully prepared to fast for justice for all cleaners.

This has been a long struggle. Than you for your support – we hope that we can count on your continued backing as we take this measure.