On the second day of the “3 Cosas” strike by outsourced workers at the University of London, most of the picket line boarded an open-top bus for a sight-seeing tour of London.
First stop was the Garden Halls, the University intercollegiate halls of residence at which jobs are threatened by an upcoming refurbishment this summer.
Next we drove to Parliament. Followed the whole time by a police helicopter, we were met outside the House of Commons by Labour MPs, John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn. Their solidarity was very welcome.
Our third target of the day was the Royal Opera House, which hires cleaners and porters through a sub-contract with the facilities giant MITIE. IWGB members stormed into reception for a flash protest and demande the Living Wage for low-paid staff. To remove us, Royal Opera House staff told us that a Living Wage had been agreed and was to be implemented soon! If so, this is a massive victory for the union.
