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Outsourced University of London staff began strike action for proper sick pay, holidays and pensions yesterday as students tried to disrupt a royal visit in solidarity.
Cleaners, caterers, security staff and porters contracted to Balfour Beatty are staging two days of action in a bid to win equality with staff directly employed by the University.
The strike is part of their long-running "tres cosas" (three things) campaign - named in Spanish because it's the first language of the majority of the low-paid workers.
Around 100 workers with balloons and flags formed a picket line at the entrance to the university's Senate House from 6am and kept their sprits high with displays of latino music and dancing.
One woman said: "One time last year, I got sick around Christmas and I had to come into work sick because we don't get paid for the first three days we're off.
"It's not fair because no-one knows when they are going to get sick.
"We're just talking about people getting sick but what about injuries? People don't get sick pay when they get injured at work either."
Talks between the workers and Balfour Beatty through employment disputes service Acas ended on Friday after bosses ruled out improved terms.
However the company claimed yesterday that it has agreed an improved package of pay and conditions with Unison.
It includes sick pay for workers under their employment for more than three months, holiday pay and a pension scheme.
A statement said all Balfour Beatty employees could move onto the new contract, which will take account of services already completed.
Despite that, students were expected to demonstrate alongside staff during a visit by Princess Anne to mark the university's foundation day celebrations.
University of London Union vice-president Danie Cooper said the campaign was "a real David and Goliath story."
"On one side is one of the biggest universities in the world - on the other, a few hundred low-paid workers most of whom don't speak English."
The strike action continues today between 6am and 3pm.
