Dozens of cleaning staff at EY’s London offices have walked off the job, setting up picket lines at Canary Wharf and London Bridge. The workers, contracted through outsourcing giant Mitie, say their livelihoods are on the line after learning that more than a third of them could be laid off in a controversial cost-cutting move.
Supported by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), the striking workers are criticizing both Mitie and EY for targeting some of the lowest-paid staff while company executives earn massive salaries. The demonstrations, with chants and horn blasts, have drawn attention in the normally quiet corporate plazas.
Voices from the Picket Line
“I come to work sick or not. I give it everything I have. This is how I make my daily bread. I want to keep working until I retire.”
“If you fire 11 people in this office, am I going to have to clean two floors now?”
Beyond layoffs, workers say their schedules and working conditions have already been negatively impacted. Some reported being overworked even before the proposed cuts and raised concerns about shift changes that make it difficult to care for children or maintain second jobs—arrangements many rely on to make ends meet.
The Official Response
Mitie & EY's Position
A spokesperson for Mitie confirmed that a formal consultation process is underway, as required under UK labor law. The company said it is working with staff to find alternative roles and minimize the impact. However, the union has questioned the motivations behind the cuts, citing three conflicting reasons they were given:
- A direct request from EY to cut staff.
- A push to transition part-time roles into full-time ones.
- A desire to “improve” cleaning services overall.
The cuts come as EY undergoes a broader global restructuring, driven by declining demand for consulting services and a shift toward AI solutions. Last year, the firm laid off 150 employees from its UK consulting division.
Final Thoughts
As the strike continues, the dispute highlights the ongoing challenges faced by outsourced workers—those whose roles are essential but often undervalued and the first to be cut. While EY’s corporate leadership focuses on global transformation and future growth, the people keeping its offices clean and functional are simply fighting to keep their jobs.
