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30.05.2024 / News /

Unity, Community and Solidarity

Sweet and spicy Salteñas, handmade by Bolivian “tias”, and the sounds of La Coma, afro colombian percussion, greeted delegates at the opening of UVW’s Annual General Meeting, AGM, on 18 May.

Some 80 delegates from all sectors of the economy including cleaners, security guards, hospitality, artists, design and cultural workers, Chefs, teachers, plumbers, nanny’s and concierges participated in the AGM under the theme of Unity, Community and Solidarity.

Sessions in English, Spanish and Portuguese looked back at UVW’s key activities in 2023-24 including 23 workplace campaigns, 12 strike ballots, 10 simultaneous strikes, 50 bosses sued, 1,500 cases handled and £500K in compensation through legal claims redistributed to the pockets of UVW members.

AGM delegates, the majority strike leaders, scrutinised UVW’s finances and heard that the union was financially stable with a healthy reserve following a financial investigation last year and actions taken by the union’s Executive Committee.

Lunch was a member-led affair with home made Jollof rice, cakes and even ice cream!

In the afternoon, members came together to ask questions and share their ideas and views in small group discussions.

Governance, democracy and decision making was discussed and members made proposals on how to strengthen UVW, how more members could get involved in decision making and how to encourage different groups of workers to get organised.

The recommendations tabled by AGM delegates will be taken forward by the UVW Executive Committee and turned into a work programme.

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