An online petition is looking for support to stop the University of Birmingham’s management from pursuing their plans to outsource the university’s Hotel and Conference Park staff.
More than 100 members from the University of Birmingham voted unanimously to conduct an indicative ballot for strike action at the Unison meeting on 30th January 2018.
The date for the indicative ballot is yet to be confirmed.
There is a 60 day consultation period, which started on 30th January, and if successful, the staff will be moved to the new company on 1st July 2018.
This means that:
Existing Conference Park staff will be transferred to the new company and will cease to be University staff.
New staff can be hired on worse pay and terms and conditions from the first day of the new company’s operation.
UNISON University of Birmingham Branch are firmly opposed to this change.
There are ideas about UNISON’S plans to:
Reduce wages and reduce entitlements to sick pay, bank holiday pay and annual leave. The University has told us that they want to do this in pay talks.
Force out existing staff if possible. Existing staff will retain some limited protections when they are transferred over, but it will be a two-tier workforce, and hotel managers will have an incentive to get rid of existing staff so they can hire new staff on lower wages.
Remove trade union recognition. Collective bargaining and individual representation protects staff and ensures a level playing field.
The University’s only justification so far for the change has been that they want to pay managers bonuses.
Neil Cole, a petition signer, said:
“The dedicated staff are the University’s greatest asset, you need to retain them, develop them and recognise that they are an integral part of the university’s success.”
University security, catering, and cleaning services are the specific ares that are at high risk of being outsourced.
So far the petition has gained 841 signatures, however they are in need of 1000 in order to take action.
To sign the petition head to the change.org website or follow this direct link http://chn.ge/2FggGxF