The University has made a disappointing response to the current annual leave claim – offering a mere two extra days, with these having to be earnt through long service.

In response to the IWGB’s proposal that equality of leave should also apply to outsourced staff, the University claimed that this was solely a matter for the contractors themselves.

The key point here is one of equality – if the University accepts, as its policies state, that all staff should be treated the same, then it cannot be a question of apportioning a day or two to levels 1-6 staff – they must get 30 days, the same as their colleagues. The same applies to those working in the same buildings but for different employers.

All the unions reject this offer – but the key to getting an improved deal will be putting pressure on the University!

Please let us know your thoughts via uol@iwgb.org.uk