To the Fellow Workers of the 3 Cosas Campaign: the London General Branch of the IWW extends its warmest congratulations to you as you enjoy your increased rights in regards to sick pay and allocation of holidays, as a result of your exemplary struggle and campaign. We wish you full success in your endeavour to achieve pensions on the basis of equality with the permanent staff at the University of London. We are confident of your ability to accomplish this goal despite the opposition and we stand in full solidarity with you in your ongoing struggle.

Read the full letter here.

IWGB University of London Branch Secretary Jason Moyer-Lee has written a comprehensive response to the various misinformation on the workers’ strike emanating from the University of London, Balfour Beatty Workplace, and UNISON London Region management.

Read the full piece here.

The 3 Cosas Campaign sends its full solidarity to the #copsoffcampus national day of action on Wednesday 11 December.

At the University of London, the management has responded in an increasingly authoritarian manner to campus protests and labour disputes over the last year.

The University has filmed staff and students taking part in demonstrations in support of the 3 Cosas Campaign, and an activist was arrested in July for chalking slogans in favour of sick pay, holiday pay and pensions for all workers at the University.

The police presence on Bloomsbury campuses has become progressively more visible, creating an intimidating atmosphere, both on protests and more generally.

The freedom to assemble and demonstrate on campus without harassment or violence from the state is fundamental. The labour movement and the oppressed have the most interest in these freedoms and must stand together to defend them

The students who have suffered arrest and physical violence at the hands of the police have been amongst the most steadfast supporters of the 3Cosas Campaign and the Higher and Further Education strikes over pay.

We stand together in solidarity with students in demanding cops off campus and in defending the right to protest.

Students and workers united will never be defeated!

The IWGB University of London branch has given notice to BBW of 3 more days of industrial action, to take place on the 27, 28 and 29 January 2014.

Last month’s historic strike produced a major victory for the outsourced workers’ campaign. Thanks to a great display of solidarity during the strike, a magnificent and unprecedented picket line, and huge support from the wider community, BBW immediately announced concessions over holiday and sick pay conditions (though these are still not in line with those received by directly employed workers).

However, rather than negotiate directly with the IWGB, BBW instead agreed a deal with UNISON, which ignored workers’ demands for a proper pension, and for safeguards for the jobs of the Garden Halls workers.

It is obviously deeply disappointing that the IWGB, by far the largest union among BBW employees, was not been consulted regarding these proposals, and obviously any agreements made on behalf of workers by a union which does not represent them are meaningless. Members decided unanimously at an emergency branch meeting to continue to take strike action until all their demands were met.

Branch Chair Henry Chango Lopez said that the company had left his union with no option, and stated: ‘I can only stress again our (and ACAS’s) bewilderment at BBW’s failure thus far to negotiate with us on any of these issues AND to reiterate our willingness to participate fully in meaningful talks to resolve this dispute’.

STOP PRESS: Thanks to thousands of pounds of donations to the strike fund, all workers will be fully compensated for wages lost in the strike action on 27 and 28 November. Please come to the IWGB office in ULU on Monday 16 / Tuesday 17 December to claim your compensation, or contact Branch Secretary Jason Moyer-Lee (JasonMoyer-Lee@iwgb.org.uk / 07771783094).

PLEASE HELP! With more strikes announced, we desperately need to continue to raise money for the strike fund! Please donate here if you can, and please share! Your donations will make the difference between success and failure!

Following last week’s 2-day strike, with high levels of participation and extraordinary picket line solidarity, the University of London and Balfour Beatty Workplace announced significant concessions on sick pay and holidays, which would bring outsourced workers’ conditions closer to those who work directly for the University.

However, the issues of recognition, pensions and the Garden Halls have not been addressed, and today workers are holding an EMERGENCY MEETING to discuss the future of the dispute and decide on action.

All members are welcome to attend – the meeting will be taking place at the Institute of Education between 12 and 3 today. Any questions, call Jason on 07771783094.

Yesterday’s strike by IWGB workers at the University of London was a huge success, with a massive turnout on the picket line of striking workers and supporters. Senate House library was completely closed, and many deliveries were turned away by the picket.

The strike continues today – please come down to Senate House any time before 3 and show your support!

See more pictures and details at https://www.facebook.com/3coca.

Join us on the picket lines on Wednesday 6am-1pm and Thursday 6am-3pm! We’ll be gathering at the Russell Square entrance to Senate House.

There will be a carnival feel, with music, food and flags. Come along! Bring banners from your trade union, SU, or campaign.

There will be speeches from the workers and campaign supporters throughout the day.

There will also be a demonstration at the University of London’s Foundation Day at 6pm on Wednesday.

Contact: jasonmoyer-lee@iwgb.org.uk or 07771783094 or 07840136728

Our next branch meeting will be held on Monday 25 November at 1pm in room S16, Institute of Education.

Please come if you can – we will be planning for the strike on Wednesday and Thursday, and discussing the outcome of the talks with BBW planned for Friday.

If you have any questions, or suggestions for the agenda, please contact Jason (JasonMoyer-Lee@iwgb.org.uk or call 07771783094).

Outsourced IWGB members working for Balfour Beatty Workplace (BBW) at the University of London have voted overwhelmingly for strike action as they pursue their goals of recognition, protection for Garden Halls workers and the 3 Cosas.

The ballot results, published today, show a massive 97% vote in favour of strike action, on a huge 70% turnout.

The first days of action have been called for Wednesday 27 November and Thursday 28 November, the first of these being Foundation Day at the University of London, the traditional event when the Chancellor Princess Anne  bestows honorary degrees on the great and good.

IWGB Vice-Chair Sonia Chura was resolute, declaring that ‘The ballot results are positive and excellent. 97% in favour of the strike. We workers are firmly demonstrating that we are united in our cause’. She once again stressed that the IWGB was still willing to negotiate, but warned that time was now growing short if BBW were to avoid inflicting massive disruption on the University, its staff and its students.

Please donate to the strike fund – as low-paid workers already on the breadline, we will inevitably be affected more than most by the loss of earnings which a strike entails. By clicking this button and donating via Pay Pal you can make a massive contribution to the success of the campaign as it enters a critical phase.