07.04.2026 / News / Justice for Cleaners

Learning your rights the UVW way: Café Consulta returns to Casa UVW

Casa UVW was filled to capacity on Saturday 14 March as around 90 Spanish-speaking members gathered for the first Café Consulta drop-in session of the year, kicking off a new programme of meeetings designed to inform, connect and empower workers.

The opening session focused on recent changes in employment law, creating a space where members could unpack what these changes mean in practice, share personal experiences and learn collectively. For many, the motivation was clear: understanding rights is essential. Juan, one of the attendees, came “to find out about the changes in the new Labour Law because it’s important to be informed and know our rights,” reflecting a sentiment shared across the room.

While the first two sessions of the year focus on the recent changes to employment law, Café Consulta will also cover a wide range of issues affecting workers’ lives —from pensions and sick pay to sexual harassment and other workplace and social challenges—ensuring members have access to practical knowledge across many aspects of work and daily life.

But Café Consulta is about more than information. It is about building a community. Throughout the session, members engaged in open discussion, asking questions, exchanging knowledge and drawing connections between their own workplace struggles and those of others. The gathering demonstrated what a community union looks like in practice: people coming together not just to learn, but to organise and strengthen collective power.

Casa UVW once again proved itself as more than a meeting place. It is a hub where workers can learn, connect and feel at home. The atmosphere on the day captured this spirit, with members speaking about the importance of spaces like Café Consulta in helping them gain clarity, confidence and a sense of belonging.

For Miriam, attending her first Café Consulta, the experience was eye-opening. During a short break, coffee in hand, she described it simply as “excellent,” adding that she was “learning so many things I didn’t know before.” Others echoed this sense of discovery and connection. Luis highlighted how listening to others helped him better understand his own situation, explaining that “just listening to other people’s problems” allowed him to recognise shared challenges: “you think: this is also my case! And you can solve problems that way.”

That sense of solidarity was a recurring theme. Maria Estrella described the union as “great” and said she was “very happy to be a member,” while Juan expressed pride in belonging to a collective where “when someone has a problem we get together and fight together.”

As the event came to a close, one thing was clear: Café Consulta continues to grow as a space rooted in solidarity, where knowledge is shared and power is built together.

And this is just the beginning. Part 2 of the Employment Law changes will take place on Friday 18 April at Casa UVW, with more opportunities for members to learn, organise and stand stronger together.

✊🏽 See you there.

For a full list of Cafe Consulta events (Spanish language only), see >>