"Hazard Pay" for Key Workers at University of London

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"Hazard Pay" for Key Workers at University of London

VC Wendy Thomson

The majority of University of London staff are working remotely. In this context, it could be easy to forget that some members of staff are still travelling in and working onsite in an extremely difficult context. These workers are providing an essential service in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic. They are making an incredible effort, particularly considering the risks they have taken on since the beginning of the crisis.

Workers who have been able to work from home are only able to do this because of those continuing to go onto campus. Now that there is talk of returning to work, the roles these workers play in our university will become even more important. Keeping the site clean, operating, and secure will become increasingly risky as other members of staff come back on to campus.

These are frontline workers facing an unprecedented level of risk, way beyond their job descriptions. These risks should be compensated.

We, the undersigned, demand hazard pay for all workers on site at the University of London

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IWGB Universities of London Branch

To: VC Wendy Thomson
From: [Your Name]

Dear Wendy

With the majority of UoL staff working remotely it could be easy to forget that some members of staff are still travelling in and working onsite in an extremely delicate and exceptional context. THey are providing an essential service in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic.

These workers are making an incredible effort, considering the risk they have assumed since the beginning of the crisis. A risk well beyond their job description.

Taking this into consideration we present the following demands on behalf of our IWGB members and Key Workers:

- University of London will introduce a “hazard rate” for all those key workers who continue to work on site during the duration of the pandemic; (this in line with other Universities and Public institutions)

o Those attending work during the current period will receive an enhanced pay rate for the hours worked on site, namely double the normal hourly rate (£21.5)

o Those who have worked on site since the government announcement of lockdown on 21st MARCH will received backdated pay of the hours worked at the mentioned rate

- The health and safety requirements are that full PPE will be provided, small teams will be used to allow for social distancing and a rota will be deployed to ensure cleaners will only attend site once a week

Key workers are facing exceptional challenges in these times, workers at University of London are no exception. They continue to attend work, while the rest of us are advised not to venture out. The work they do, and the risks they are currently taking, must be recognised and compensated.

We believe that University of London will adopt a responsible position in these circumstances and recognise the invaluable role that key workers such as Security Officers are having during the current pandemic.