Cleaners at Hackney Learning Trust keep jobs and terms after Carillion collapse

Carillion went into liquidation in January. Photpgraph: Wikicommons

Cleaners and security guards employed by Carillion and working at the Hackney Learning Trust kept their jobs after the construction giant’s collapse in January.

Hackney Council has confirmed that all 21 employees at the Learning Trust, the non-profit firm which runs Hackney’s education services, are now employed by OCS Group with the same terms and conditions.

Carillion went into liquidation in January, causing more than 2,000 people to lose their jobs and drawing censure from a parliamentary inquiry.

In February, Cllr Rebecca Rennison, the then cabinet member for finance and housing needs, said: “The council does not have any direct contracts with Carillion although they do provide facilities management services such as security and cleaning at the council’s Learning Trust building at 1 Reading Lane.

“We have been liaising with the building’s operating company and union representatives to ensure that staff affected are supported.”

Cllr Rebecca Rennison, cabinet member for finance and housing needs. Photograph: Hackney Council

She added: “Carillion provides no other contracts or services to Hackney Council.”

When asked for an update by the Hackney Citizen, a council spokesperson said: “All employees affected who wished to remain working at Hackney Learning Trust transferred to the new facilities management provider under Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE) regulations.

“There’s an interim provider currently (OCS Group), with procurement for a new provider due to start in the coming weeks.”

Asked if all 21 have the same rights and conditions with OCS Group, the spokesperson said: “All [21] kept their jobs and were transferred over to the interim provider under the same terms and conditions.”

A parliamentary inquiry into the Carillion collapse published in May said: “Carillion’s rise and spectacular fall was a story of recklessness, hubris and greed.

“Its business model was a relentless dash for cash, driven by acquisitions, rising debt, expansion into new markets and exploitation of suppliers.”