“‘Union-busting tactics: Cleaners at top university told by employers to keep silent over potential strike action”, 24 October 2019

University College London cleaners say they have been told by their employers to keep their personal opinions off social media and under no circumstances talk to the press.

Union for gig economy and low-paid migrant workers, IWGB, accused contractor Sodexo of targeting staff who have voted on a possible strike…

In the letter distributed in the campus’ Institute of Education building, team members were told to “not give your personal opinion to ANYONE” and “under NO circumstances should anyone speak to the press” about the potential strike action.Bottom of Form

Sodexo indicated that the letter was intended for staff dealing with the fallout from the action, rather than striking workers.

One cleaner, who spoke to i on the condition of anonymity, said: “It is clear that Sodexo and Axis are trying to silence us and stop our strike…”

Unlike their directly employed counterparts, contracted cleaners and security guards are entitled to significantly worse rates of sick pay, holiday leave and pension rights.

Meanwhile, lawyers representing Axis, which contracts UCL security guards, has told the union it will be taking legal action if it continues with its ballot motion.

In a letter to UCL, the union said it needs to take a stand against the “extreme pedantry” exhibited by the contractors.

UCL said it had committed to equal pay and conditions for Sodexo and Axis employees by 2021, announcing the move on Monday.

Sodexo declined to provide a comment. i has contacted Axis for comment.