The union claims many of the affected workers do not receive the London Living Wage
Catering staff and cleaners at Forest School in Snaresbrook, Redbridge, are set to strike next week in a dispute over plans to cut their pay by up to 13.5 per cent. The union said the action will mean staff and pupils will not receive meals and some areas of the school will not be cleaned.
The 40 workers, who are employed by Compass Group UK & Ireland Limited, are members of Unite. The union says the proposed reduction follows the school’s decision to change its catering and cleaning contract from 52 weeks a year to term time only, meaning staff would be employed for 45 weeks.
Unite says many of the affected workers earn just above the minimum wage and do not receive the London Living Wage. It said the cuts would leave workers, many of whom live in London and Essex, facing increased financial pressure amid high rents and living costs.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the dispute was a case of a private school “putting profits before people and attacking the lowest paid workers”.
“Unite will never stand for our members having a pay cut,” she said. “They are being treated disgracefully and have our full support during this dispute.”
The union says Forest School has cited the introduction of VAT on private school fees as a financial pressure. According to figures supplied by Unite, fees at the school are £10,898 including VAT per term for senior pupils and £8,165 for children in reception.
The union also cited Charity Commission figures showing that Forest School had total annual income of £39,009,294 for the financial year ending 31 August 2025. It said the school’s headteacher earns at least £300,000 a year.
Workers are also seeking formal recognition of Unite for collective bargaining. The union said membership among the affected staff increased significantly after the proposed pay cuts were announced three months ago and continues to grow.
The planned strike action is due to take place from Monday 28 September to Friday 2 October.
Unite regional officer Daniel Hoggan said the school “pleads poverty” while charging thousands of pounds per term and paying senior staff substantial salaries.
“Expecting workers who are on already low wages to take such a substantial pay cut is completely unfair and the school needs to think again,” he said.
The union said it expected parents to be concerned about the planned disruption but blamed Forest School for the dispute.
