The King’s Buildings Cleaners during shutdown

King’s Buildings cleaner Mags McCallum at work in the Peter Wilson Building.

Whilst most of the King’s Buildings campus has been closed since March, essential workers have been on site every day. We spoke to two Cleaning Supervisors, Rab Scott and Danny McKinley, who have been helping to look after campus.

Usually you would see 140 Cleaners working at King’s Buildings but right now there are only six Cleaning staff (Gillian Fitzpatrick, John Williamson, Louise Goodfellow, Mags McCallum, Mandy Thompson and Pam McLaughlin) working alongside four Cleaning Supervisors (Agnes Kay, Danny McKinley, June Jack and Rab Scott).

Their daily routines have also changed from starting at 5am to now starting at 7.30am. Previously Cleaning Supervisors would start the day by handing out keys and chatting with their teams to overcome any problems, as well as setting out daily work schedules. They are now responsible for carrying out building checks, running water in toilets and kitchens, and additional cleaning of cupboards and showers. Supervisors are also keeping in regular contact with those who aren’t working via phone and email.

The Cleaning teams are currently looking after several buildings on campus: Murray Library, SMC, Roger Land, Peter Wilson (SRUC), JCMB, John Murray Lab and Grant Institute.

Danny said: “As a small team everyone is helping each other out when needed and we are having socially distanced meetings. When we are not busy we are still managing to have a laugh which helps keep spirits up.”

Rab added: “Also a mention to Eoin Moar, Estates Department Area Manager, who has also been working throughout this liaising with us, keeping us updated with what is happening and also keeping spirits up with his usual dry sense of humour.”

At the moment Rab is helping the Maintenance Team in SRUC prepare the building so it can safely open to staff and students when the time is right to do so.

Rab said: “We still see some of our Maintenance and Servitor colleagues around the campus as well as families, joggers and dog walkers enjoying the quiet campus. All in all though it’s very surreal at present on campus with no staff or students but it does give us time to make sure all the buildings will be safe and clean for staff and students to return when advised by the Government that they can do so. A big shout out to all the essential workers who have been on site throughout the pandemic, without their hard work we would not be able to reopen safely.”