As Christmas approaches, University of London Bouygues engineer Stan Jackson is still thousands of pounds out of pocket following his heart attack at work.

We wanted to update everyone on the case of Stanford Jackson, who was deducted £5000 by his employer Bouygues while recuperating from a heart attack suffered at work (see https://iwgb-universityoflondon.org/2019/12/03/justiceforstan-university-of-london-and-its-contractor-bouygues-deduct-5000-sick-pay-from-employee-who-had-heart-attack-while-on-duty/).

Having brought this matter to the attention of the Vice-Chancellor, the IWGB were assured that she was taking a ‘personal interest’ in the case, and Stan was led to believe that it would be resolved.

However, with less than a week to go before Christmas, Stan is still thousands of pounds out of pocket, having been told by Bouygues that they will only pay him partially for his absence, and only compensating him for less than half of the money they deducted from him in October.

Furthermore, they only grudgingly paid this on the grounds of ‘exceptional circumstances’ as a ‘goodwill gesture’. Merry Christmas indeed!

To add insult to injury, and despite the fact that his ongoing ill-health and shortage of money has caused Stan to require counselling, Bouygues are insisting that he raise the matter via the formal grievance and disciplinary procedure, a process that will inevitably be massively stressful and is totally unnecessary.

There is also no indication that either Bouygues or the University of London have addressed any of the serious health and safety issues which led to Stan’s accident (which could easily have been much worse) – including the fact than lone staff were NOT issued with fall alarms despite these being requested.

The issue is NOT complicated – Stan suffered a heart attack in his workplace, a workplace where all staff (in-house or outsourced) are entitled to 6 months full sick pay. Bouygues and the University should be bending over backwards to ensure that everything is done to look after a longstanding member of staff (and one who has never missed a SINGLE DAY’s work through illness while working for Bouygues), rather than leaving him broke and traumatised this Christmas.

As before, the IWGB will continue to escalate this matter until justice has been done, and in the meantime we urge all members and supporters to contact wendy.thomson@london.ac.uk and ask for #JusticeforStan.

We are delighted to introduce our two new new BAME officers, unanimously elected at this week’s branch meeting – Ruqayyah Al-Faisal and Hosne Ara!

You can contact them with any relevant issues at uolbame@iwgb.co.uk, but please read on to find a little bit more about them.

My name is Ruqayyah Al-Faisal and I am a receptionist working for the University of London. Whilst working here I’ve faced many challenges and encountered racism, sexism and discrimination.

With IWGB and my coworker Hosne we fought against the individuals concerned and prevailed. In doing so we showed that fighting back is the only way your voice can be heard.

So I am honoured that IWGB has elected me to be a union officer for those others who wish to be silent no longer.

Hi! I am Hosne Ara, working at the University of London for last five years! I have been always dedicated myself to make a difference to people’s lives especially those who need help. I believe I can make a positive impact by ensuring that ethnic minority workers adjust well to the work environment and feel valued.

I appreciate all the support from IWGB that I have received. I thank all of you who have voted me to be a voice of all race and culture, and I will ensure that all ethnic minority voices are heard.

Salary: £11.55 per hour (The IWGB has a flat wage policy of London Living Wage + £1 per hour, with increases every year in November)

Timescale: 3 days (21hrs) per week

Benefits: 23 days holiday per year including bank holidays (38 days pro rata), 13% employer pension contribution.

Reporting to: Head of Communications and Media

To apply: Send a copy of your CV and a cover letter explaining your interest and suitability for the role to sebastienflais@iwgb.co.uk

Application deadline: 23:59 on 26 August

About the role

We are looking for a press officer to join our communications team. The press officer plays a vital role for the union, not only by helping shape and execute communications strategies for individual campaigns, but also by ensuring that the IWGB’s wider strategic objectives are advanced through clear messaging in the media and social media.

Most importantly, the press officer will help amplify the voices of members, by telling their stories, but also by giving them the means and confidence to communicate effectively about their experiences.

Your responsibilities will include writing press releases, pitching stories, managing relationships with journalists, monitoring IWGB media coverage, ghost writing comment pieces, assisting with social media and helping train our rank and file reps.

The press officer should be comfortable working to tight deadlines and managing several tasks at the same time. You should have an excellent command of written and spoken English and an ability to write clear concise copy.

Key responsibilities

• Writing and sending press releases to relevant media
• Pitching stories to the press and broadcast media
• Dealing with media inquiries and requests for comment
• Monitoring the IWGB’s media coverage
• Ghost writing comment pieces for members and officers
• Assisting in running the IWGB’s social media accounts
• Helping the head of communications and media develop effective comms strategies by liaising with branch officials and activists
• Creating and maintaining relationships with journalists
• Training members and activists

Person specification (Essential)

• At least one year’s experience in journalism, communications, media relations or a role that incorporates these skills.
• A burning passion to fight against injustices
• An ability to write clear, concise copy to tight deadlines
• A capacity to manage multiple priorities
• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Good IT skills

Person specification (Preferred)

• Experience shooting and editing video and/or photo
• Experience clipping media content or creating social media content
• Knowledge of UK employment law
• Knowledge or experience in the trade union movement

Inteviews will be conducted on the morning of 9 September and afternoon of 11 September

About us:

The IWGB is the leading union for precarious workers in the UK. Founded by a handful of Latin American cleaners in 2012, it now has over 5000 members working across a number of sectors. It has led campaigns and/or launched landmark lawsuits against employers such as Uber, Deliveroo, Addison Lee, Ernst & Young, The University of London, The Doctors Laboratory and others. The union has a flat wage policy, where all employees, including the General Secretary and President, make the same hourly wage of London Living Wage + £1 (£11.55).