Justice for Birkbeck College Cafeteria workers!

The Chairperson of BCMSF writes:

"Most cafeteria workers are members of BCMSF, but the College Management refuses to acknowledge us as their representatives because they have entered into a Procedural Agreement with UNISON as representing Manual and Clerical Staff. So much for an individual's choice of joining a Union of his/her choice(Trade Union Act).

"So all through the negotiations with Gardner Merchant, unions were completely ignored. The Management never entertained the thoughts or feeling of the staff, but told them what the College wants. The irony is that none of them want to work for GM given their track record for industrial relations. On the event we end up at IT, the College will argue that they have found them alternative employment and it is left to each individual either accept or be made redundant.

"These are one of the poorest paid staff of the College who have been treated appallingly.

"They collectively state that the College has shown them no compassion and have refused to ask them what they want. They are angry that the Management does not want to deal with the Union to which they belong.

"Some have worked for Birkbeck College for over 10 years and contributed to SAUL, the University's pension scheme. They want to know what is going to happen to their pensions?"

Dr Hari Ratnajothi

---

About BCMSF:

Welcome to the new website of MSF Birkbeck College.

Birkbeck College MSF Online Bulletin Board - come here to read and post important messages and to discuss issues of concern to members of the union at the college.

Current Membership numbers: 73
including Affiliated Members from:

• School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)
• College Catering Staff
• College Attendants Staff
• Percival David Foundation

If matters of concern arise with your employment i.e. change of job description, harassment or anything that you may feel aggrieved about, do please contact the Chair or the Branch Secretary. Depending on the issue they will decide the appropriate course of action. The non-teaching Staff Governor will be informed and his/her assistance may be sought to resolve the problem. They will advise the member what action to take and how to go about it.

Sexual and Racial Harassment - there are Union sponsored and college appointed, trained advisors to deal with the above problems. The advisors names appear on the college notice boards.