// Petition against Tesco decision to force shop workers to take over cleaning duties has garnered 36,000 signatures
// Tesco recently announced plans to axe cleaning contractors and transfer the tasks to shop floor workers
// The move will affect 1920 staff across Tesco Metro and Express stores from August 24
An online petition opposing Tesco’s decision to force shop workers to take over cleaning duties has garnered 36,000 signatures.
Organised by campaigning platform Organise, the petition was established after Big 4 grocer announced staff in 1920 of its Metro and Express stores would soon be given extra workload in light of a move to axe its cleaning contractors.
READ MORE: Tesco staff in 1920 stores to clean shops after contractors axed
From August 24, the contract cleaners’ duties, which includes washing windows and mopping floors, will be transferred to store staff – who will have to take on the new cleaning tasks on top of their regular tasks on the shop floor.
The affected shop floor staff will also have to start cleaning their own break rooms and toilets.
The move comes as the coronavirus pandemic has made high hygiene standards a top priority for retailers.
Tesco has denied the changes were a cost-cutting move, but rather a response to a trial that showed stores “were cleaner when colleagues took ownership of general cleaning”.
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