THE leader of the Green Party, Natalie Bennett, has written to Professor Sir Adrian Smith, Vice Chancellor of the University of London, urging him ensure outsourced workers enjoy the same pay and conditions as those directly employed by the university.
Below is the letter in full:
Dear Professor Sir Adrian Smith,
I am writing you in my capacity as Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, to express my concern over the situation of the outsourced workers at the University of London (central administration).
However I would first like to congratulate you and the University of London on the introduction of the London Living Wage for all workers at the University of London as of July of this year. I would also commend you on your recent announcement that the new London Living Wage rate of £8.55 will be introduced this month at the University, backdated to November 1. The Green Party has long been a supporter of a Living Wage and has advocated for its introduction throughout the United Kingdom.
However I am concerned about the lack of sick pay, holidays, and decent pension schemes available to the outsourced workers at the University of London. It has been brought to my attention that most of the outsourced workers receive fewer holidays than their colleagues who work directly at the University of London. I have also been informed that most of the outsourced workers receive only statutory sick pay if they are sick. As you know, SSP does not provide anything in the first three days of illness, and covers only £85.85 per week afterwards. I think we can all agree that this is near impossible to live on in London, let alone to support a family. Finally, I believe that all workers at the University of London should have the ability to buy into a decent pension scheme.
I urge you to completely accept the workers requests for a decent, fair package of conditions - pension, sick pay and holidays.
Your policy on the London Living Wage is commendable, but merely a first step on the path towards a dignified life and working conditions for the cleaners, caterers, security guards, and porters who keep your University functioning daily. I will therefore be supporting these workers and their 3 Cosas Campaign by making a video recorded endorsement, distributing campaign information to our members, and assisting with press coverage of the campaign.
I do hope that you look into options for address the conditions of these workers at the University of London as soon as possible.
Regards,