Solidarity with Amey / NPL cleaners at appeal hearing
solidario | 09.11.2008 13:03 | Migration | Workers' Movements
Colombian cleaners sacked by contractor Amey PLC at the government's National Physical Laboratory for 'discrediting the company' held a joint appeal against their collective dismissal on Friday at NPL in Teddington, Middlesex. Together with supporters they mounted a colourful solidarity picket outside, and spoke to many NPL staff as they left work.
The 5 cleaners were dismissed on September 14, after they put out a call for solidarity from other workers on-site in the light of Amey's failure to address their concerns around job cuts, health and safety, discriminatory practices, contractual changes, and an immigration raid. A campaign has since been launched to demand their reinstatement, with a series of protests held in London and Bristol. Last Tuesday representatives of Amey PLC came to London for the second time to meet with the campaign and express displeaure at its activities.
On Friday supporters of the Latin American Workers Association and the Campaign against Immigration Controls leafletted and talked to staff as they left work at the Laboratory. Many were unaware of what had been happening. The response was largely positive and a good few signed a petition in support of the cleaners. Others provided information which only corroborated further the cleaners's allegations regarding the behaviour of Amey PLC. Worryingly, one NPL employee commented that they had been 'instructed' by email not to get 'involved' in the cleaners' issue.
Local residents were also receptive, especially in the light of coverage of the dispute in recent editions of the local Richmond and Twickenham Times.
The workers were represented at their appeal by their union Prospect which represents workers at NPL, whichever company or sub-contractor they work for. Ludicrously, the employer Amey PLC had originaly scheduled the appeals to be held indivdually with the last one due to be heard at 9.30pm! Luckily this was overturned as the arguments were the same in the case of all the cleaners concerned. The decision on the appeal is due in the next 1-2 weeks.
Other recent developments include:
- a cleaners' rep spoke to a 300-strong rally in support of the Shrewsbury Pickets Campaign addressed by Ricky Tomlinson and Arthur Scargill.
- a complaint has been acknowledged by the government department responsible for contracting Amey at NPL, and a full response is awaited.
- Sunday November 16 at 5.30pm: public meeting at Pullens Centre, 184 Crampton Street, Elephant & Castle SE17 3AE to highlight this and other recent migrant workers struggles e.g. Schroders bank cleaners. Details at www.caic.org.uk
Map:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=184+crampton+street%2C+elephant+and+castle%2C+London+SE17+3AE
Previous reports and background info:
http://london.indymedia.org.uk/articles/130
http://caic.org.uk/node/21
https://london.indymedia.org.uk/articles/75
On Friday supporters of the Latin American Workers Association and the Campaign against Immigration Controls leafletted and talked to staff as they left work at the Laboratory. Many were unaware of what had been happening. The response was largely positive and a good few signed a petition in support of the cleaners. Others provided information which only corroborated further the cleaners's allegations regarding the behaviour of Amey PLC. Worryingly, one NPL employee commented that they had been 'instructed' by email not to get 'involved' in the cleaners' issue.
Local residents were also receptive, especially in the light of coverage of the dispute in recent editions of the local Richmond and Twickenham Times.
The workers were represented at their appeal by their union Prospect which represents workers at NPL, whichever company or sub-contractor they work for. Ludicrously, the employer Amey PLC had originaly scheduled the appeals to be held indivdually with the last one due to be heard at 9.30pm! Luckily this was overturned as the arguments were the same in the case of all the cleaners concerned. The decision on the appeal is due in the next 1-2 weeks.
Other recent developments include:
- a cleaners' rep spoke to a 300-strong rally in support of the Shrewsbury Pickets Campaign addressed by Ricky Tomlinson and Arthur Scargill.
- a complaint has been acknowledged by the government department responsible for contracting Amey at NPL, and a full response is awaited.
- Sunday November 16 at 5.30pm: public meeting at Pullens Centre, 184 Crampton Street, Elephant & Castle SE17 3AE to highlight this and other recent migrant workers struggles e.g. Schroders bank cleaners. Details at www.caic.org.uk
Map:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=184+crampton+street%2C+elephant+and+castle%2C+London+SE17+3AE Previous reports and background info:
http://london.indymedia.org.uk/articles/130 http://caic.org.uk/node/21 https://london.indymedia.org.uk/articles/75
solidario
e-mail:
latin_americanworkers@hotmail.com
Homepage:
http://www.caic.org.uk