Doing Cleaning Work 'Scientifically': The Reorganization of Work in the Contract Building Cleaning Industry

How is office cleaning work organized? Is cleaning work undergoing changes similar to those in workplaces in other in dustries? This article answers these questions by investigating the building cleaning workplace in Toronto, Canada. It argues that the organization of work has shifted from a 'traditional zone cleaning'approach to one of 'gang cleaning'. The latter stresses the tool of 'sientific management'in the reorganization of the building cleaning labour process. The implication of this change for cleaners is discussed.