Institute of Exterior Cleaning
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| The Institute of Exterior Cleaning | |
| Founded | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Country | UK |
| Affiliation | Trade Association |
| Key people | Luke Aprhys, president |
| Website | www.windowclean.eu.tf |
The first organisation to represent window cleaners throughout Great Britain was started in the late 40s and became known as the National Federation of Master Window Cleaners, later the National Federation of Master Window and General Cleaners and now the Federation of Window Cleaners (FWC). A while ago, frustrated Federation members and window cleaners who had never bothered to join the “Fed”, formed various new professional bodies, e.g. the Association of Professional Window Cleaners (APWC).
Scottish window cleaners have formed the Scottish Licensed Window Cleaners Network (SLWCN) - however, this was applicable to Scotland, not England or Wales. Therefore, in 2006, after discussion between some window cleaners in Southampton, they formed the Association of Window Cleaners (AWC). Known these days as the Institute of Exterior Cleaning, at present the body has a total of four members.
The IEC is not part of FWC, APWC or SLWCN in any way.
[edit] Controversy
The IEC's founder, Luke Jones (aka Luke Aprhys), acts as if it were an established and recognised organisation. Jones himself has only been cleaning windows since 2006. He styles himself 'Luke Jones FIEC', with FIEC standing for Fellow of the Institute of Exterior Cleaners.
The official IEC website contains several derogatory references toward what they call "dole guys", window cleaners who also claim Social Security payments. The use of the derogatory term 'dole' has left the Institute open to accusations of classism.
Several comments on the IEC about the FWC border upon libellious, especially since the accusations made are not backed up with evidence.
The IEC seems extremely biased against the use of water-fed pole (WFP) systems to clean windows. At one point, the IEC website manipulates the wording of Health and Safety Executive regualtions to make it appear that the HSE believes water-fed poles are more dangerous than the alternative ladder-based processes which the IEC champion.
The IEC's charter requires members to charge a specified minimum amount, ostensibly to prove that they are not "dole guys". As the members of the IEC are individual businesses, such an agreement between them is tantamount to a cartel.
The above issues have led to the IEC being dubbed the "Institute of Extravegant Claims", "Institute of Elitist Charlatans", "Ladder Monkeys" and "Idiot-Established Cartel" by local non-affiliated cleaners.
[edit] External links
- The IEC official site.
