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UCL's privatised security staff, cleaners and porters win parity in pay and conditions

WORKERS whose jobs were privatised at University College London (UCL) have won equal pay, holidays and working conditions with directly employed staff.

In a deal described as “just the start” by public-sector union Unison, the university has agreed to parity in pay and conditions for outsourced workers – including security staff, cleaners and porters – with those who remain directly employed.

The outsourcing of UCL contracts to private firms Axis, Sodexo and Aramark resulted in a sustained attack on the pay and conditions of 800 staff, with cuts to holidays, maternity and paternity leave, pensions and sick pay.

Launched a year ago, Unison’s Bring Them In campaign aims ultimately to bring all the outsourced jobs back in-house.

The parity deal is the result of negotiations begun in April, and will see UCL foot the bill for the extra costs, leaving the privateers’ profits untouched.

The improvements will be phased in between December 1 this year and August 2021.

Unison London regional organiser Boyana Petrovich said: “this is just the beginning.”

“Unison remains committed to all aspects of our Bring Them In claim, but at the same time remains committed to constructive negotiations with UCL in order to negotiate uplifts in all terms and conditions for outsourced workers as quickly as possible. Our hard-working members deserve nothing less,” she said.

UCL executive director of human resources Matthew Blain said: “Unison is our recognised trade union and we are pleased that our negotiations have been positive, professional and productive. We have listened carefully to their concerns and are acting.”

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