THE DISPUTE
Cleaners at Sotheby’s in plush Mayfair had won a series of demands from Contract Cleaning and Maintenance (London) following the threat of mass protests. The victory guaranteed non-toxic products, reinstatements, fairer schedules and the London Living Wage (backdated)… or so we thought!
But then Sotheby’s promptly ditched CCML and contracted Servest, who tried to sabotage the deal, hoping that UVW would run out of steam. Though back to square one, our members defied illegal threats with an incredible protest in the mid-summer of 2015 — very noisy, colourful, numbering over 100, and precisely what Sotheby’s didn’t need on the day of a blockbuster £130m art sale.
This was a rare occasion when UVW could campaign in front of the bewildered noses of London’s elite, who normally have a side entrance to scurry into. It offended Sotheby’s enough for them to “suspend” (indefinitely) four cleaners on fabricated charges. The #Sothebys4 were soon the #Sothebys2, for whom another Early Day Motion was sponsored by Alex Salmond MP following an original EDM sponsored by John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn (MPs).
UVW caused a further disturbance at Sotheby’s classic car auction in September 2015, and organised several other carnivalesque protests too, It was confirmed in early 2016 that ALL outsourced workers at Sotheby’s, including cleaners, caterers, porters and security guards would receive both the London Living Wage and contractual (much improved) sick pay. This big splash sent ripples far and wide…
CAMPAIGN VIDEO
UVW makes history at Sotheby’s auction house
It is confirmed that as a result of UVW’s campaign at Sotheby’s all outsourced workers there, including cleaners, security guards and caterers, will receive…
19 MPs call for reinstatement of Sotheby’s Four
On 14 July, the MP for Birmingham Hall Green, Roger Godsiff, tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons condemning the employment practices of Sotheby's and its cleaning contractor Servest concerning United Voices of the World (UVW) members.
Support the campaign to reinstate the “Sotheby’s 4”
Thank you all for the amazing support we got in the Sotheby's campaign. Now, in the fight for the reinstatement of the Sotheby's 4 we need your solidarity even more. Here are some ways in which you could get involved in the campaign.
Sotheby’s official letter to suspend workers after protesting
Sotheby's contractor Servest has just written to the cleaners who participated in the peaceful, lawful protest for sick pay on Wed 1st July. Here the "official" reason for banning them from site (aka sacking them) after protesting.
Sotheby’s Cleaners and Porters banned (aka sacked) after protesting
All the courageous cleaners and porters that took part in the protest yesterday demanding sick pay and end to trade union victimisation have been sacked by Sotheby's auction house and their contractor Servest.We will not let them get away with this. Protesting is a right, not a crime! The campaign has only just began. Watch this space for further actions.
Recording: Sotheby’s cleaners intimidated to prevent them from protesting
Listen to this recording of the shameless cleaning contract Servest trying to intimidate the cleaners and porters at Sotheby's. Here's the transcript:
Art F City writes about UVW protest at Sotheby's
Art F City is an online magazine, which creates and archives critical discourse, and commissions ambitious artist projects. Through a daily mix of blunt criticism, commentary and community-minded journalism, we add an unparalleled dosage of purposeful opinion to the contemporary art community.They wrote a great article about the Sotheby's campaign urging their readers to come to our protest next Wednesday. Here is what they wrote about us.
OUR WINS
London Living Wage
Workers received LLW (backdated).
Sick Pay
Full pay sick pay for all UVW members.
Reinstatement
Our members defied illegal threats and gained reinstatement of several cleaners.
