CAIWU Declares Official Trade Dispute at Highbury Stadium Square
CAIWU has formally declared a collective trade dispute against Key Enviro Solutions at Highbury Square over excessive workloads, insufficient paid hours, staffing levels, workplace safety and verification of London Living Wage arrears.
CAIWU Formally Declares Collective Trade Dispute
On 20 October 2026, the Cleaners and Allied Independent Workers Union (CAIWU) formally declared a collective trade dispute against Key Enviro Solutions (KES), the company employing cleaners at Highbury Stadium Square in London.
CAIWU General Secretary Alberto Durango notified KES Managing Director Paul Openibo following correspondence and discussions dating back to August 2026. Despite exchanges of documents and proposed working arrangements, the union's concerns about staffing, workloads, paid hours and workplace safety remain unresolved.
The dispute centres on whether cleaners are being given sufficient time and resources to carry out their responsibilities safely and consistently across the residential estate.
Workloads and Staffing Under Scrutiny
Cleaners have reported being required to maintain multiple residential blocks within limited working hours, alongside physically demanding responsibilities involving large waste bins.
KES maintains that its allocation of 160 paid working hours per week is sufficient. However, CAIWU has questioned whether the company's calculations account for the full daily and periodic cleaning workload.
The schedules supplied by KES contain inconsistencies identified by the union, including overlapping duties and tasks allocated outside an employee's stated working hours. CAIWU argues that these discrepancies undermine the reliability of the proposed staffing arrangements.
The union has also challenged the adequacy of the company's risk assessment for waste-bin movements. The document, identified as RA-040, contains incomplete site information and does not sufficiently establish safe handling requirements for the estate's actual routes and loads.
These concerns have led CAIWU to demand a more comprehensive assessment of the work required and the conditions under which it is performed.
Our Members' Demands
Fair paid hours and adequate staffing: 40 contracted and paid hours per week for each current worker, an additional dedicated bin operative, clearly allocated duties and adequate absence cover.
Joint workload review: A comprehensive assessment involving CAIWU and worker representatives, supported by measurable workloads, representative task timings and the records relied upon by KES.
Safe working conditions: Site-specific risk assessments and safe procedures for bin movements, covering routes, loads, handling forces, equipment, staffing, training and interim controls, alongside workload and stress assessments.
Clear schedules and consultation: Corrected work schedules and consultation with CAIWU and affected workers before operational changes are implemented.
London Living Wage arrears: Individual verification of agreed arrears from November 2025 until the date of correction, including hours, applicable rates, payments made and any outstanding balances.
Protection of workers' rights: Assurance against adverse treatment for raising concerns or participating in lawful trade union activities, and fair investigation of disputed observations before any disciplinary findings, with representation where applicable.
Outstanding Pay Verification and Workers' Protection
Alongside the concerns about workloads and safety, CAIWU is seeking clarification of the London Living Wage arrears agreed for affected workers.
The spreadsheet provided by KES ends on 24 July 2026 and does not establish whether subsequent periods required correction or confirm the amounts actually paid.
The union has also challenged observations concerning individual workers' performance and working methods, maintaining that these must be properly investigated and that affected employees must have an opportunity to respond.
Both matters form part of CAIWU's efforts to ensure that workers receive their correct pay and are treated fairly when raising workplace concerns.
Next Steps in the Dispute
CAIWU's formal notice requested a substantive written response from KES by 4:00 pm on 27 October 2026, together with proposed dates for a resolution meeting involving someone authorised to agree staffing, working hours and resources.
The union confirmed its willingness to negotiate constructively, including with assistance from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).
If the dispute remains unresolved, CAIWU will consider balloting members for industrial action in accordance with applicable law. No industrial action has been announced.
CAIWU remains committed to securing fair paid hours, adequate staffing and safe working conditions for cleaners at Highbury Stadium Square.
Notes to editors
The Cleaners and Allied Independent Workers Union (CAIWU) is an independent trade union representing cleaners and allied workers across the UK. The union campaigns for fair pay, better working conditions, dignity at work and the protection of workers' rights.
The dispute was formally declared on 20 October 2026 under section 244 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
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Cleaners and Allied Independent Workers Union (CAIWU)