[lbo-talk] Goldman Sachs:Over $16 billion in bomuses but cleaners protest their pay

[Cseniornyc at aol.com]

BBC:Goldman cleaners protest on pay 
Goldman  Sachs could face a strike by cleaners, who say they are overworked 
even as the  firm sees huge profits and its bankers earn massive bonuses. 
Some 120  cleaners employed by Mitie, a contractor, say their numbers have 
been cut but  their workload has not. 
They staged a picket outside Goldman Sachs in London  on Wednesday, said the 
Transport & General Workers' Union. 
The protest  comes a day after Goldman Sachs saw fourth quarter profits leap 
by 93% to a  record $3.15bn (£1.6bn). 
These figures brought annual earnings to $9.54bn.  
"A staggering $8.4bn (£4.2bn) will be set aside for salaries, bonuses and  
benefits," said the union. 
'Overstretched' 
The picket that took place  outside the firm's offices included banners 
saying "Goldman Sucks" and "Justice  for Cleaners" said a T&G representative. 
The T&G Union has been  supporting a wider Justice for Cleaners campaign to 
give every cleaner in the  City of London a decent wage, sick pay, a pension, 
20 days' holiday and bank  holidays, as well as collective bargaining through 
the union. 
The bank  meanwhile says: "We support responsible union representation and 
the right for  people to earn a living wage." 
A ballot would be needed for a strike to go  ahead and no industrial action 
is expected until the New Year, said the T&G.  
"Whilst bankers at Goldman Sachs will be splashing out on second homes, cars  
and polo ponies with their multi-million pound bonuses, cleaners at Goldman  
Sachs are being squeezed by staff cutbacks," said Tony Woodley T&G general  
secretary. 
"The lack of cover means the cleaners are overstretched, which  makes an 
already difficult job even more stressful."