In the light of recent announcements of healthy finances and increased spending from the University of London, our branch secretary Catherine Morrissey has written again to senior management pressing them to reolve the issue of the non-payment of London Weighting to maintenance and maintenance support staff. Her letter follows below, but please do get in touch at catherinemorrissey@iwgb.org.uk if you have any questions.
Dear Kim
Further to our correspondence below, I am writing again with regard to the ongoing issue of Cofely’s maintenance and maintenance support staff, who are still to receive either their London Weighting allowance or any information regarding it.
We would like this to be put in the context of the University’s recent intranet announcement that ‘the overall finances of the University are in a strong position and we anticipate achieving our target of a 5% operating surplus on turnover by 2019’.
The same post also lists ‘a series of strategic investments that will see the next stage of the University’s development’:
- New projects such as the redevelopment of Garden Halls
- Student Central
- Launch of the Department of External Services
- Development/fundraising team
- Additional investment in academic posts in SAS
We are also aware that Senate House Library has recently put in a request for £0.5m of additional Central University Funding, and there is of course the ongoing massive expense of Programme Beveridge.
In other words it is clear that money is available, and is being spent on both staff and infrastructure.
In this context, it is indefensible that workers in the situation described below are still treated like second class citizens, with no London Weighting provision being made despite the central role they will be required to play in maintaining and upgrading the University’s estate. The University, and all who work and study in it, can only benefit from a properly rewarded and motivated maintenance and maintenance support team.
The University can ensure that Cofely (or any other contractor) pays and treats its employees properly, and we would once again request that the University ensure its contractor do two things:
- To pay London Weighting at the same level as that received by directly employed staff
- To consult meaningfully with its staff over London Weighting and other issues of concern to them.
If you could also clarify for us the University’s position re its maintenance spend – that is, whether it accepts that one of the investments it is currently making should be in higher staff costs for maintenance workers – that would be much appreciated.
Best wishes
Catherine Morrissey
Secretary, University of London IWGB
Independent Workers Union of Great Britain - Universities of London Branch 