Independent Workers Union of Great Britain – Universities of London Branch

The IWGB yesterday announced the results of its first ever ballot for strike action at the central University of London. On a 50% turnout, the result was a 100% YES vote, meaning that IWGB members will join the other HE unions in the national strike action taking place on the 31 October. The IWGB is also calling for formal recognition and an increase in the London Weighting allowance.

Branch secretary Jason Moyer-Lee was upbeat, describing the vote as ‘crucial’ both in terms of the HE pay dispute and the ongoing 3 Cosas campaign at the University. ‘This shows that the IWGB will continue to play a full part in achieving a long overdue fair pay settlement for University workers, and sends a message to their outsourced colleagues that their own impending strike action will have wide support’.

A cross-union meeting to plan for the 31 October strike has been called for Tuesday 29 October at 1pm, to be held at the nearby Institute of Education.

All UoL employees are welcome, and anyone wishing for more information can contact Jason at JasonMoyer-Lee@iwgb.org.uk (07771783094) or UoL rep Matt Mahon at Matt.Mahon@gmail.com.

Balfour Beatty, which employs workers on outsourced contracts at the University of London, has failed to respond to notice of a trade dispute from the workers’ trade union, increasing the likelihood of outsourced workers’ strikes at the prestigious institution.

The company and the University have ignored repeated calls from workers’ representatives in the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) for negotiation over the planned closure of inter-collegiate student halls, trade union recognition, and outstanding grievances around unequal sick pay, holiday pay and pensions.

The IWGB has made clear that it is still keen to begin negotiations but that a continuing failure by the company to reciprocate is making strike action more likely.

A spokesperson said: ‘No one ever wants to go on strike but the company and the University of London have consistently treated staff with contempt, refusing to speak to workers’ representatives, and giving no promise that redundancies will not be made when the halls close. Workers cannot live with this continuing uncertainty and are fully prepared to resort to strike action if their employer and the university will not behave responsibly’.

The University of London IWGB branch has been making the following demands for months:

• Equal pension, sick pay and holiday rights
• Guarantees of jobs for Garden Halls workers
• Proper consultation and negotiation with the union

Balfour Beatty Workplace and the University of London have failed to resolve these issues. As a result, the IWGB is now preparing for strike action. This has been approved in principle at previous branch meetings.

The IWGB General Secretary has now written to the company to start the process. This means any strike will be legal and no worker can be sacked for taking part. The next step is to discuss how the strike will work, and to consult all members through an official ballot.

WE ALL NEED TO WORK TOGETHER ON THIS, SO PLEASE COME TO THE NEXT BRANCH MEETING, FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER AT SOAS.

THE MEETING WILL START AT 12, SO SENATE HOUSE PORTERS CAN ATTEND, AND CARRY ON UNTIL 3, SO PLEASE COME WHEN YOUR SHIFTS FINISH.

Any questions, just email uol@iwgb.org.uk or call Henry on 07922810798

by Sonia Chura, University of London cleaner and Vice-Chair of the University of London Branch of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB)

On Thursday, 26 September, the general secretary of my union sent a letter to Balfour Beatty Workplace, the company that does the cleaning, security, and maintenance at the University of London’s central administration and halls of residence. The letter contained three demands, and notified that failing progress on these demands the union would be balloting its members for industrial action. In other words, the University of London’s outsourced workers will be going on strike.

This means that for a period of time this semester, University of London halls of residence and the Senate House library will not be cleaned, chairs, desks and rooms will not be arranged, mail won’t be sorted, and the buildings might have to survive with less maintenance and security guard personnel. In addition to causing major disruptions to the University’s daily functioning, the strike will also likely attract national media attention thereby sullying the University of London’s good name. Given that strikes are often considered a last resort, you may be curious to know how we have gotten to this point. As the Vice-Chair of the University of London branch of the IWGB- the largest union among outsourced workers at the University- I will attempt to explain.

Read the full article here – Why We Will Strike

The IWGB, has entered into dispute with the employers, BBW.  We are asking them to resolve the following issues:

• a recognition agreement
• the 3 Cosas demands for equal sick pay, holidays and pensions
• a guarantee of the continued employment of those workers at the Garden Halls of residence affected by planned changes.

The IWGB General Secretary Chris Ford has written formally to BBW management. As soon as we have a response, we will be in touch to organise a meeting of all members to discuss the next steps in the dispute, including possible strike action.

Any questions, please contact branch secretary Jason Moyer-Lee at jasonmoyer-lee@iwgb.org.uk.

Our first English lessons started this week, with a great turnout of, as you can see, rapt and attentive students.

The classes are completely free for IWGB members, and offer a great opportunity to improve your English alongside your colleagues in a friendly atmosphere.

There will also be opportunites for informal conversation sessions with English speaking volunteers outside the classes.

Please get in touch with our Education Officer Catherine (catherinemorrissey@iwgb.org.uk) with any questions or suggestions.

Our next monthly branch meeting will be on Friday, at 1pm at ULU on the 3rd floor.

As well as normal branch business, there will be an update on the Garden Halls situation.

We have been talking with BBW contract manager Peter Brench about how we can safeguard jobs for workers in the Garden Halls

ULU President Michael Chessum has agreed to take your demands to the University when he meets with them on Thursday 12 September

All these developments will be discussed in the branch meeting, so please come along.

Any questions, just email uol@iwgb.org.uk or call Henry on 07922810798

Many John Lewis workers have called for justice for the cleaners who earn poverty wages. Raph Ashley, an IWGB union rep at the Stratford store, gave an interview to The Guardian – John Lewis then targeted him and sacked him.

His appeal is on THURSDAY 5 SEPTEMBER — join the protest to demand Raph is reinstated and for the Living Wage.

Protest 4pm, John Lewis Head Office, Partnership House, Carlisle Place, London SW1P 1BX.

Next to Victoria Station.

Over 30 IWGB members affected by the proposed closure of the Garden Halls have signed a petition calling on BBW to take immediate practical steps to prevent redundancies and reallocate workers. The petition has been submitted to company bosses today – as soon as we have a response we will let you know.