Impact of cost of living crisis on members
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Impact of cost of living crisis on members

Rates of pay at the University dropped below the real living wage rate last month – there are now hundreds of band 200 and grade 2 staff (including those on the University’s new pay scale) who are being paid less than the amount the independent Living Wage foundation has assessed they need to meet essential…

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Update on the Organiser Job Advert

Thank you to all applicants who have submitted an application for the organiser vacancy. We really appreciate the interest in this post. Due to the ongoing lockdown and restrictions on work linked to the Coronavirus pandemic, we’ve taken the really difficult decision to pause the recruitment of this post until the national situation changes. We simply…

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Job Opportunity – Organiser (part-time, 11 months fixed term)

Birmingham University UNISON are excited to announce that we are recruiting for a part-time organiser, focusing specifically on building our strength in the Edgbaston Park Hotel (a University-owned subsidiary company). The role is two days per week and on a fixed-term contract for 11 months. (The reason for the contract term is because it’s being…

The Edgbaston Park Hotel Boycott, Sick Pay, and Coronavirus
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The Edgbaston Park Hotel Boycott, Sick Pay, and Coronavirus

In light of the coronavirus likelihood in places traversed by many people, we fear the real risk of The Edgbaston Park Hotel (The University of Birmingham’s wholly-owned and outsourced subsidiary company) staff coming in whatever happens because they can’t afford to be sick due to their very low contractual rights. We are continuing to urge everyone…

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Media reports on our strike action days (2nd & 3rd September)

BBC West Midlands interviewed branch secretary Mike Moore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3ZLOGrRhHM&t=3s ———– Birmingham Mail article: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/university-birmingham-staff-strike-two-16850516 ‘University of Birmingham staff to strike for two days – what you need to know Unison union members at the University began two days strike action with a rally in Victoria Square protesting for better pay and work conditions. Unison members said…

UNISON University of Birmingham branch passes motion calling for a national boycott of Edgbaston Park Hotel
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UNISON University of Birmingham branch passes motion calling for a national boycott of Edgbaston Park Hotel

UNISON University of Birmingham branch passes motion calling for a national boycott of the University’s wholly-owned subsidiary company, the Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre (EPH) until the University ends outsourcing on campus and brings all Hotel staff back in-house. Members voted unanimously in favour of the motion presented below, committing the branch to a…

Private Eye article highlights the damaging effects of outsourcing on staff working at the University of Birmingham and its subsidiary company Edgbaston Park Hotel
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Private Eye article highlights the damaging effects of outsourcing on staff working at the University of Birmingham and its subsidiary company Edgbaston Park Hotel

We are concerned about the way in which senior managers at both the University of Birmingham and at its subsidiary company, Edgbaston Park Hotel are treating staff. Their refusal to meaningfully negotiate with the unions and the constant erosion of pay, working conditions, and equality on campus are having a devastating and very real impact…

UNISON Launches a Petition to Bring Edgbaston Park Hotel Staff In-House & End Outsourcing at the University of Birmingham
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UNISON Launches a Petition to Bring Edgbaston Park Hotel Staff In-House & End Outsourcing at the University of Birmingham

The petition can be found here:  https://www.change.org/p/david-eastwood-and-richard-metcalfe-end-outsourcing-at-the-university-of-birmingham-and-bring-edgbaston-park-hotel-staff-in-house   In the video below, Mike Moore (joint branch secretary) provides context regarding the working conditions at the Edgbaston Park Hotel. More detailed information: In July 2018, The University of Birmingham opened The Edgbaston Park Hotel, a subsidiary company owned entirely by the University*. Although the Hotel say that…

How would you spend your 1p/hour pay rise? This is the ‘reward’ Edgbaston Park Hotel staff have received for next year
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How would you spend your 1p/hour pay rise? This is the ‘reward’ Edgbaston Park Hotel staff have received for next year

Staff employed by Edgbaston Park Hotel (company set up and owned by the University!) have received a…… 1p pay rise…… so that their salaries would be brought up to the national MINIMUM Wage (£8.21). The National Living Wage rate is £9/hour. The University have committed to matching the Living Wage rate for 1 year (after…

Message of solidarity with the trade union members, activists and students who took part in the #CleanUpOutsourcing Day of Action
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Message of solidarity with the trade union members, activists and students who took part in the #CleanUpOutsourcing Day of Action

Message of solidarity with the trade union members, activists and students who took part in the National Day of Action to Clean Up Outsourcing To: IWGB – Independent Workers Union of Great Britain IWGB University of London United Voices of the World the union BEIS PCS London and South National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers…