We, the undersigned, are workers and students at UCL calling on the university management to end the practice of outsourcing. There are currently over 500 cleaners, over 200 security guards, and more than 150 catering staff, essential workers in our university, who are not treated with the respect of direct employment contracts.

The practice of outsourcing is widely recognised as discriminatory, racist, and exploitative, manifestly so at UCL where a majority of outsourced workers are from migrant, Global Majority backgrounds, whilst directly employed staff are majority white, better paid, and enjoy more secure working conditions.

By contracting out security, cleaning and catering services, UCL management is tainting the reputation of the entire university. Beyond the wrongs inherent in outsourcing, the contracted companies are involved in a number of human rights abuses which, through the contracts, UCL is making us complicit in. For example, Bidvest Group, the parent group of the security contractor, are involved in transporting weapons internationally, as well as oil and gas. Sodexo, who are contracted for cleaning services, are infamous for the cruel and inhumane conditions sustained in the prisons which they run in the UK. As for catering, there is a clear conflict of interest, as the CEO of Compass Group, who are contracted to provide catering services, also sits on the UCL Council.

Unfortunately, the mistreatment and abuses carried out elsewhere by these companies has also affected working conditions at UCL. Due to outsourcing practices, which consistently try to cut corners at workers’ expense, security guards have had consistent problems with incorrect pay, missing holiday entitlement, and most recently a cut to the Christmas overtime pay. In 2023, Bidvest Noonan carried out a ‘transformation’, cutting many staff, and cutting the hours of remaining staff, only to result in the increased use of agency staff on even poorer pay and terms and conditions. This has a knock on effect on the safety of all at the university.

Sodexo are forcing many cleaners into precarity, as even those with years of continuous service receive only zero hour- or fixed term contracts, denying them security in work and life. The fixed term contracts last only 3 or 6 months, which creates further problems for these workers, for example in housing or planning their future. Zero-hour contracts should not be in use, and are completely inappropriate for the consistent and essential work that cleaners at UCL do.

Ultimately, ending outsourcing is about showing that all members of staff are valued and respected members of the UCL community. That means having equal access as other members of staff, such as in accessing the library, break rooms, and respectful and competent managers.

The contract with security provider Bidvest Noonan will expire in autumn 2025, while the cleaning contract with Sodexo expires this summer. There has never been a better time to bring staff in house. No other contracting company or concessions can guarantee workplace equality other than directly insourcing staff.

UCL, do the right thing. End Outsourcing for good!