Many apologies for the late notice – the clinic will be open again next week, or if you have any urgent questions please don’t hesitate to contact us at uol@iwgb.org.uk.
As has been posted and discussed at branch meetings, the University’s contract with Cofely is coming to an end and the University is in the process of procuring these services from somewhere else.
We made contact with Kim Frost, suggesting that this would be the perfect opportunity for the University to bring these services back in-house in order to improve the pay and conditions for facilities workers. We were informed that tenders had been invited and were to be returned by the end of October for a period of review so that new services would commence in March 2016.
We have now asked for a further update and have been informed that contracts will be awarded on 1st February 2016 and staff cannot be informed of the outcome until this has taken place. Staff will therefore be advised of the outcome of the procurements by 2nd February 2016.
For all those who couldn’t make Friday and Saturday’s branch meetings – we have a new Education Officer!
His name is Sam Dolbear, and he’s a member based at Nutford House.
Sam spoke to the group on his plans, if elected, to expand the English classes and language exchange activities. He also wants to make podcasts on employment rights available for members to use as learning and reference materials and possibly arrange a special event to raise awareness of South American low-paid worker struggles.
The meeting also voted to thank the previous Education officer, Usman Tayyab, for all his hard work, organisation and teaching efforts.
This month’s branch meetings will be held at the following times and places:
Friday 20th November, 12.30pm, Room S13 Institute of Education
Friday 20th November, 3.30pm, Cafe Institute of Education
Saturday 21st November, 1pm, IWGB Office
Some good news to report here – HR Director Kim Frost has confirmed that all UoL staff, including those employed by Cofely and Aramark, will receive the increased London Living Wage with immediate effect!
Danny has sent the following email to the interim CEO of CoSector, Sally Townsend, and the University COO, Chris Cobb, seeking clarification on the situation in CoSector after the resignation of Anthony Kemp and is awaiting a response:
From: Danny Millum
Sent: 13 November 2015 11:19
To: Chris Cobb Sally Townsend
Subject: CoSector – request for information
Dear Sally and Chris
I am writing on behalf of members in the ‘CoSector-related departments’ in order to seek clarification on the current situation, and plans going forward.
Given the troubled history of this project, and the acknowledged breakdown in communication before the departure of the previous CEO, I’m sure you will be keen to provide the information requested.
The main questions are:
1. Is it still intended that a business plan be drawn up and presented to the Board of Trustees?
2. We have been told that the first draft of the business plan is meant to be completed by the end of November, the second draft January, and the final draft in March – does this mean that the proposals will NOT be going to the January Board of Trustees meeting?
3. If so, will this plan be independently reviewed beforehand?
4. Will this plan also be seen and commented on by affected staff, and their input reflected in any final draft?
5. Is it still intended to proceed under the name CoSector?
6. Can you now guarantee that plans to second staff have been abandoned, and staff will remain as UoL employees?
7. Should CoSector not proceed in its current form, what will happen to those staff employed by the company?
8. These staff currently represent a significant additional salary cost for the departments concerned – how will they be absorbed into any new structure, and how will they be paid for?
9. With regard to the money already invested in this project – can it be clarified how much has been spent, what on, and who is accountable for this?
If you could get back to us regarding these issues that would be much appreciated.
Best wishes
Danny
Danny Millum
University of London IWGB
https://iwgb-universityoflondon.org/
Many apologies to all – today’s legal clinic has been cancelled.
The session will run as normal next week, and do get in touch via uol@iwgb.org.uk if you have any questions.
The headquarters of the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) is a basement room beneath a dry cleaner’s in Central London.
From a loading bay behind a row of shops, concrete steps lead down to a flimsy door, with a pile of leaflets beside it and ‘IWGB office’ scribbled above it on a piece of A4.
Behind the door is a whitewashed space with metal shelves, neatly stacked with placards and furled banners, and four desks…..
As posted on the Intranet and also detailed in an email sent to all SAUL members, the proposed changes to the SAUL pension scheme have been accepted by the Trustees and will be implemented from April 2016.
The IWGB believes these changes to be wholly unnecessary and we put this across during the consultation period but unfortunately the changes are going ahead.
Independent Workers Union of Great Britain - Universities of London Branch 