UEL Cleaners Secure Major Improvements to Employment Conditions Following CAIWU Campaign

Cleaners at the University of East London (UEL) secured major improvements to their contractual terms and conditions following a successful campaign by the Cleaners and Allied Independent Workers Union (CAIWU).

The agreement, effective from 1 August 2024, addressed significant inequalities between the employment benefits available to cleaners and those enjoyed by other university workers.

Challenging Unequal Treatment

Before the campaign, cleaners at UEL had considerably less favourable employment benefits than other workers at the university.

These inequalities left cleaning staff with weaker financial protection during illness, lower employer pension contributions and less favourable arrangements for leave and additional working hours.

CAIWU members organised to challenge these differences and demand better contractual conditions. Their collective efforts resulted in an agreement covering several important aspects of their employment.

Stronger Financial Security

One of the most significant achievements was the introduction of enhanced contractual sick pay.

Under the new arrangements, entitlement increases with length of service, beginning with one month's full pay and two months' half pay after four months of service. After five years, workers can receive up to six months' full pay and six months' half pay.

Employer pension contributions also increased substantially, from 3% to a minimum of 10%, with contributions potentially reaching 16% depending on the worker's own contributions.

Crucially, members can receive the minimum 10% employer contribution without making personal contributions.

Improved Leave and Overtime Arrangements

The agreement established 25 days' annual leave, increasing to 30 days after five years of service, in addition to bank holidays and paid university closure days.

Workers required to work on public holidays or closure days are entitled to time off in lieu.

Enhanced overtime provisions also apply to qualifying work exceeding 35 hours per week. These include time and a half for Monday to Saturday overtime and double time for qualifying Sunday, public holiday and university closure work. Where Sunday is a normally rostered working day, time and a half applies.

Better Support for Families

The campaign also secured enhanced maternity and adoption pay arrangements, alongside up to two weeks' paternity or partner leave at full pay, subject to eligibility.

Workers also gained access to up to one week of paid compassionate leave and additional contractual provisions covering parental leave, caring responsibilities, family emergencies, bereavement and other personal circumstances.

These arrangements provide greater support when workers need time away from their jobs to care for themselves or their families.

A Victory Won Through Collective Action

The improvements secured at UEL were the result of CAIWU members organising and campaigning against unequal treatment.

Rather than accepting less favourable conditions, workers came together to demand meaningful changes to their employment contracts.

The agreement represents an important achievement in CAIWU's history and demonstrates the difference that independent trade union organising can make to workers' lives.

Fair treatment is not a privilege reserved for certain employees. Every worker deserves employment conditions that recognise their contribution and protect their wellbeing.

Note to editors:

CAIWU is a representative trade union for cleaners and allied independent workers, advocating for fair labour practices and workers' rights. The general secretary is Alberto Durango. For more information, please contact:

William Santin

CAIWU Communications admin

Cleaners and Allied Independent Workers Union

88 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1DH

Email: communications@caiwu.org.uk

See our campaign highlights here: Highlight