Founded in 2014 by Latin American workers, UVW is a grassroots union fighting for dignity, equality and respect at work.
United Voices of the World (UVW) was founded in January 2014 by a group of cleaners from Latin America, alongside a handful of volunteers organising from street corners and cafés for its first three years. Our fight first unfolded during an era of trade union hostility and apathy: anti-union laws tightening their grip, private sector membership dropping to a historic low of under 12%, and new unions folding left and right. As traditional trade unionism retreated, UVW emerged to organise the workers most often left behind: low-paid, precarious migrant workers, many of whom faced both exploitation at work and discrimination because of their immigration status.
Since then, over 12,000 workers have passed through our union from over 100 countries. Through strikes, occupations, direct actions, and campaigns our members have won tens of millions of pounds in improved pay and conditions. We were the first trade union in the UK to end outsourcing for migrant and racialised cleaners, porters, caterers, and security guards across hospitals, and cultural institutions. Ending outsourcing means racialised workers now have the same terms and conditions compared to their white, in-house counterparts, including fairer pay, better sick pay, and equal rights. Meanwhile, we have also secured equal treatment, improved contracts, and greater workplace rights for in-house NHS cleaners, porters, and caterers.
Our landmark historic victories are a testament to how UVW has revitalised trade unionism through strengthening collective worker power. With every campaign, UVW members challenge the idea that low-paid workers must accept second-class treatment. Our members are no longer invisible and have fight for what they need and deserve.
UVW continues to push the boundaries of what trade unions can win. More than a decade after our founding, our story is still being written. With every new member, campaign, and victory, we are building a stronger future for workers across the UK.
Read about our historic campaigns here.
Be a part of the next chapter: Join UVW and help build worker power, dignity and justice at work.
Recent victories
Justice for Radisson Blu Housekeepers
Radisson Blu housekeepers in Canary Wharf are fighting back after brutal cuts to hours and soaring workloads. Now outsourced to WGC, they're demanding 40-hour contracts, fair workloads, and the London Living Wage.
Equality Now for St Helier & Epsom Hospital Facilities Staff!
Hundreds of cleaners, porters and catering staff at St Helier and Epsom hospitals in Surrey are fighting for equality within the NHS. They are employed directly by the Trust yet they are not given the same Agenda for Change contracts and T&Cs as the rest of the NHS staff. They do NHS work and they deserve NHS pay and conditions.
SHAME ON V&A! Cleaners at world leading museum say no to poverty pay
Cleaners at the V&A, mostly Latin American migrants who are UVW members, earn just £11.75 an hour – pennies above minimum wage – and have no company sick pay. They work tirelessly to keep the museum spotless, yet they are treated like third-class workers. They are fighting back.