7 November - IWW International Day of Action against Sodexo
Solidarity Forever | 05.11.2011 16:20 | Social Struggles | Workers' Movements
On 7 November, protests are taking place around the world in solidarity with cleaners (janitors) who work at the City of London Corporation’s Guildhall, employed on contracts by the French based corporation Sodexo.
The vast majority of cleaners at the Guildhall are members of the independent trade union the Industrial Workers of the World. In summer 2011, the cleaners waged a successful campaign to secure months of unpaid wages, and achieved the reinstatement of a victimised trade union member. Since then the cleaners have been campaigning to secure justice on pay, equality and respect at work.
The vast majority of cleaners at the Guildhall are members of the independent trade union the Industrial Workers of the World. In summer 2011, the cleaners waged a successful campaign to secure months of unpaid wages, and achieved the reinstatement of a victimised trade union member. Since then the cleaners have been campaigning to secure justice on pay, equality and respect at work.
Sodexo pay poverty wages:
Corporation of the City of London, who hires Sodexo, is the richest local authority in the UK. It encompasses the foremost financial centre of the world. Yet these employers refuse to pay cleaners the London Living Wage of a mere £8.30 per hour – despite it being officially recognised by the Greater London Authority that a wage earner paid less will be living in poverty.
Sodexo one law for workers – one law for the bosses:
When Sodexo took over the contract at Guildhall, they suspended the IWW Representative Wilmer Cardenas who faces dismissal. For being outspoken in defence of fellow workers, he has been accused of being aggressive. In contrast, managers who have been the subject of complaints of threatening workers with violence, of abusive and bullying treatment including locking a woman up for two-hours - these bosses have seen no such robust action by Sodexo.
Management nepotism:
For years cleaners at Guildhall have witnessed the management have operated a system of favouritism in promotion and allocation of work. Family and friends of bosses have been given the best jobs, access to earning more wages and promotion to become supervisors.
Defend Union rights:
When they took over the contract Sodexo made an agreement with the IWW to tackle the issues of inequality by the end of September, they assured the union of robust action against abusive managers. Whilst IWW kept its part of the agreement to suspend their demonstrations, Sodexo did not fulfill their promises. They cheated the cleaners. Many union members continue to be the subject of hostility by bosses. Those who led the union campaign for unpaid wages have been targeted for revenge. Some who complain are made clean toilets day after day. Whilst workers who present medical evidence have been forced to do tasks that can make their condition worse.
London Regional Office
2nd Floor,
145-157 St John Street,
London, England
United Kingdom, EC1V 4PY
Email:
chrisfordiww@aol.com
Join the International Day of Solidarity against Sodexo
Justice for Cleaners at the City of London Guildhall
Sodexo want one thing – flexibility. They want workers who will obey their every command. IWW cleaners will not suffer in silence! They are fighting back and demanding:
· End bullying, abuse and nepotism
· No victimisation of IWW union activists
· London Living wage of £8.30 per hour
This appeal for solidarity on 7 November is made by the
London IWW Cleaners and Allied Industries branch, Industrial Union 640
Supported by the IWW London Regional Delegate Committee
London members of Education Workers Industrial Union 620
London members of Print and Publishing House Workers Industrial Union 450
London Bus workers Branch Industrial Union 530
London IWW Cleaners and Allied Industries branch, Industrial Union 640
Corporation of the City of London, who hires Sodexo, is the richest local authority in the UK. It encompasses the foremost financial centre of the world. Yet these employers refuse to pay cleaners the London Living Wage of a mere £8.30 per hour – despite it being officially recognised by the Greater London Authority that a wage earner paid less will be living in poverty.
Sodexo one law for workers – one law for the bosses:
When Sodexo took over the contract at Guildhall, they suspended the IWW Representative Wilmer Cardenas who faces dismissal. For being outspoken in defence of fellow workers, he has been accused of being aggressive. In contrast, managers who have been the subject of complaints of threatening workers with violence, of abusive and bullying treatment including locking a woman up for two-hours - these bosses have seen no such robust action by Sodexo.
Management nepotism:
For years cleaners at Guildhall have witnessed the management have operated a system of favouritism in promotion and allocation of work. Family and friends of bosses have been given the best jobs, access to earning more wages and promotion to become supervisors.
Defend Union rights:
When they took over the contract Sodexo made an agreement with the IWW to tackle the issues of inequality by the end of September, they assured the union of robust action against abusive managers. Whilst IWW kept its part of the agreement to suspend their demonstrations, Sodexo did not fulfill their promises. They cheated the cleaners. Many union members continue to be the subject of hostility by bosses. Those who led the union campaign for unpaid wages have been targeted for revenge. Some who complain are made clean toilets day after day. Whilst workers who present medical evidence have been forced to do tasks that can make their condition worse.
London Regional Office
2nd Floor,
145-157 St John Street,
London, England
United Kingdom, EC1V 4PY
Email:
chrisfordiww@aol.com Join the International Day of Solidarity against Sodexo
Justice for Cleaners at the City of London Guildhall
Sodexo want one thing – flexibility. They want workers who will obey their every command. IWW cleaners will not suffer in silence! They are fighting back and demanding:
· End bullying, abuse and nepotism
· No victimisation of IWW union activists
· London Living wage of £8.30 per hour
This appeal for solidarity on 7 November is made by the
London IWW Cleaners and Allied Industries branch, Industrial Union 640
Supported by the IWW London Regional Delegate Committee
London members of Education Workers Industrial Union 620
London members of Print and Publishing House Workers Industrial Union 450
London Bus workers Branch Industrial Union 530
London IWW Cleaners and Allied Industries branch, Industrial Union 640
Solidarity Forever