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30.07.2024 / News / Justice for Cleaners

Unfair dismissal at Kensington and Chelsea Town Hall: A call for justice

“The union informs you of your rights, opens your eyes and offers a helping hand…People should not allow these abuses to take place and we should look for the support of the union to learn how to face these problems when they happen. It’s a learning curve and joining the union is the start.”– Rebeca Olalla, sacked cleaner and UVW member

Rebeca Olalla, a mum of three from Ecuador and member of United Voices of the World (UVW), is fighting against her unjust dismissal from her job as an outsourced cleaner at Kensington and Chelsea Town Hall, employed by Atlas, for taking short leave to deal with serious family emergencies.

Rebeca started her new job at the Town Hall on February 14, 2024 working 5 to 10 pm, Monday to Friday. She arrived in the UK 10 years ago, and had worked all that time for a different employer, without fault or complaint. But when the gym she used to clean closed down and her hours were drastically reduced, she had no choice but to look for a new job. All was going well until her life took a dramatic turn on 30 May, when her partner had a near-fatal bicycle accident, prompting the police to call Rebeca to the scene.

In a moment of crisis, Rebeca did what any responsible partner and parent would do. “I was terrified when I got the call from the police – Rebeca says – but I managed to compose myself and warn my bosses as soon as possible that I wouldn’t be able to come in.” Her messages to her bosses were acknowledged, which should have constituted a legitimate request for time off for dependents, as defined by Section 57A of the Employment Rights Act 1996. “Then I called my eldest son, who’s 21, to help me out at the hospital and with his younger siblings. I spent the night at the hospital and the day after I went back to work.”

Despite her immediate and responsible actions, Rebeca was met with an unjust response. Upon returning to work the next day, she was informed that she had not passed her probation. “As I walked in, my supervisor called me into a meeting room and told me I had not passed my probation and that the following day, a Friday, would be my last day”, Rebeca recalls.  

By Monday, having received nothing in writing, Rebeca reached out to her direct managers requesting formal written communication. Instead of addressing her legitimate concerns, Rebeca received a dismissal letter citing unspecified conduct and performance issues, which had never been mentioned before let alone dealt with in performance reviews or a formal process. 

We believe the main reason for Rebeca’s dismissal was her need to take leave for family emergencies, an act protected under Section 99 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. She is now left without a job, her partner is on statutory sick pay due to his accident, and they are struggling to make ends meet while caring for two of their children, aged 4 and 13. “I feel terrible. I’m out of work now and can’t find a job with the type of timetables which combine with my family life… I’m in a very difficult situation,“ she says.

Rebeca’s abrupt dismissal is not only illegal but also deeply unethical. We urge Atlas to immediately reinstate Rebeca and provide her with the support she needs during this difficult time. 

Rebeca’s dismissal is a clear violation of her rights, and it is crucial that employers are held accountable for such actions. UVW is committed to fighting for Rebeca and all workers who face similar injustices. “My partner and I are both members of UVW. It’s a very supportive environment.”  Rebeca says. “The union informs you of your rights, opens your eyes and offers a helping hand. I always tell my friends that they should join. People should not allow these abuses to take place and we should look for the support of the union to learn how to face these problems when they happen. It’s a learning curve and joining the union is the start.”

We call on Kensington and Chelsea Town Hall to intervene and ensure that their contractors adhere to the highest standards of fairness and legality. We also appeal to the wider community to stand in solidarity with Rebeca and support her fight for justice.

Join us in demanding justice for Rebeca and all workers who face unfair treatment in their workplaces. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that justice prevails.

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