Cleaners picket play over wages

The T&G has written to Kevin Spacey calling for his support

Theatre-goers at London's Old Vic were being picketed by cleaners from Canary Wharf over a pay dispute.

The Transport and General Workers Union (T&G) claims that banking giant Morgan Stanley, based at Canary Wharf, offers no sick pay and no pension.

The firm helps sponsor the theatre and cleaners handed leaflets to people arriving on Thursday to watch National Anthems, starring Kevin Spacey.

The bank declined to comment. Mr Spacey has been invited to meet the cleaners.

Workers, who earn £5.74-an-hour, are campaigning for a wage of £6.70-an-hour.

'Fair play'

Paul Davies, T&G organiser, said: "Cleaners who earn under £6 an hour in Europe's most expensive capital will be saying to theatre lovers 'A good play? We just want fair play'.

"Morgan Stanley is, quite rightly, proud of the voluntary work its workers do and the donations it makes to help the poor of London.

"We just think they should do more for the poor who work in their own buildings."

Tony Partington, managing director of Canary Wharf where Morgan Stanley is based, told BBC News: "The problem isn't with us, it is generally out in the market place.

"I can't speak for Morgan Stanley but as a company they are responsible, they are supporting the arts and they are paying their people over the market rates already."