London SolFed and Hackney Anarchists picket IKEA in support of CNT-AIT (Spain) in dispute with Foldeco.

Dorset IWW regret the ‘rivalry’ between the two workers’ internationals, we support all workers in struggle.

On Sunday, 12th of November, members of North London Solidarity Federation and Hackney Anarchists, who can be contacted at HackneyAnarchists@riseup.net, held a solidarity picket outside of the Greenwich IKEA in support of our comrades in CNT-AIT Madrid who are in dispute with an IKEA contractor; Foldeco Development S.L.

Foldeco uses racist abuse against its workforce in an effort to keep them in line and squeeze more productivity out of them. We handed out over 150 flyers to customers going in and out of IKEA detailing this abuse, and encouraged them to take their custom elsewhere, as IKEA is directly profiting from Foldco’s bullying of its workforce. The reaction to our picketing was generally positive and some people stopped for a longer chat with us.

Solidarity to everyone internationally who suffer under a system that puts profits ahead of human dignity.

leaflet:

“IKEA PROFITS FROM WORKPLACE ABUSE

For more than three years our fellow CNT-AIT union member has been working at Foldeco Development S.L. in Spain and has been suffering extremely harsh workplace harassment. Because of this abuse our comrade has had to seek medical treatment for anxiety and has been on sick leave since last November.

Foldeco is a subcontractor of IKEA and, until IKEA ensures its subcontractors respect their workers, it is an accomplice in the mistreatment of Foldeco’s workforce, profiting from Foldeco’s abuse, and you should reconsider supporting IKEA with your custom. CNT-AIT Madrid is engaged in a labour dispute with Foldeco on behalf of our comrade and his fellow workers, filing complaints and taking legal action.

This mistreatment includes

• • twelve hours days without overtime pay,
  • handling of toxic substances without adequate personal protective equipment,
  • denial of holiday days,
  • preventing staff from going to see their doctor,
  • the manipulation of working times and shifts in order to hide
  • excess working hours in breach of contract,
  • and all this is under constant threats of dismissal or pay cuts.

As a result of demanding his rights, and denouncing his mistreatment to managers and owners, our comrade has suffered threatening behaviour, insults, humiliation, and even physical aggression. We must single out Mr. M, whose children own and manage the company, and who, with the complicity of those children, verbally insulted and physically pushed our comrade in an unsuccessful attempt to provoke a violent reaction.

The area manager J.C.V, a deputy head in the profile wrapping machines department and relative of the general manager, has also tried to force more work out of our comrade and other staff members through racist and xenophobic insults, without any fear that he might suffer consequences for his disgusting behaviour.

AGAINST ABUSE, EXPLOITATION, AND RACISM!

AN OFFENCE AGAINST ONE IS AN OFFENCE AGAINST ALL!”

Statement from another Language teacher in Bournemouth.

“I worked for a number of EFL schools in Bournemouth over a period of a year and a half, after graduating with a Celta and with 2 years’ experience in another EU country.

One of the schools, Bayswater in Bournemouth, having been made aware that I suffer residual anxiety after a PTSD episode in 2021, started bullying and isolating me in January 2023. Unannounced observations, both online and in person, meetings where I was told what exactly to do at my lessons (what off-book material must be used and how many lessons a week MUST be off book – for a teacher of nearly 3 years of experience (!), whilst other teachers continued mainly teaching from the book), all of it finished with a grande finale of a new DOS Ms Karen Hollis trashing me as a person, a professional, and undermining my integrity at a 15-minute ordeal of an ‘observation feedback’.

After that meeting, I was forced to take 3 days off of sick leave due to nervous shock. I also made a grievance to three new DOS’ superiors, but it was totally ignored for two weeks, after which time Ms Bruna Laurent, the centre manager, sacked me by email, claiming I had not passed the probation (it was a month too late to claim this; I was also popular with most students and teachers and there were no performance or other problems beforehand).

Only after my intervention with James, the owner of the company, did I get some justice in form of extra notice period pay, apology and a promise of reference and possible being reinstated to the job in future. He behaved like a gentleman, although it was all too late. I didn’t keep the job, though. There was no real closure, although the management has apparently changed since, which I appreciate had to happen, given the lack of competence and professionalism of the previous one…

The anxiety period initiated in Bayswater lasted for at least another month. The knocks to self-esteem and confidence take a bit longer to heal.

I fully support Mike in his struggle and can relate and believe that what he claims is entirely true. The English language industry in the UK is still maturing – in great pains – to be an all-inclusive, tolerant and well paying sector, but before this happens, we must stand in solidarity and slowly shape it up so we can all enjoy working as TEFLs in future. I am not working as a TEFL right now, waiting for the outcome of another ET case, where I demand payment for many unpaid working hours from Kaplan International Languages. I refuse to work for free. The capitalist school owner CAN afford paying us for all the work required of us!”

Mike won his case at tribunal – ed.

Together we win – victory for Fellow Worker in Bournemouth.

Surprise picket at United World language school in support of disabled worker.

Picketing is great fun and we love doing it. If you exploit us we will shut you down!

Following an intense two-and-a-half  year campaign by the TEFL Workers’ Union, an English language teacher has won a historic £22k payout at employment tribunal.

Mike Long had been employed by Bournemouth-based United World School of English for almost 20 years when it changed ownership. Mike soon fell victim to a drastically increased workload and pressure to complete unnecessary qualifications- all this despite the company being aware that Mike has suffered from depression and lives with anxiety. At one point the company even implied they didn’t believe his condition was real despite medical certification.

Mike felt he had no option but to resign and, with the support of the TEFL Workers’ Union, successfully campaigned against his former employer on the grounds of constructive dismissal. Constructive dismissal is notoriously difficult to prove with only 5% of cases leading to a positive judgement. The breadth of campaigning undertaken by TEFL Workers’ Union, the wider IWW, and disability activists was instrumental in ensuring its success.

Organiser John Davis, who supported Mike throughout the case, said: “There were a number of key elements that made this win possible. As a union we don’t rely on the legal system to gain justice for our members and our direct tactics were essential in ensuring justice would come.” The union undertook an online media campaign against the company as well as a number of direct actions involving protests outside the premises of the business in Bournemouth. This was particularly effective during an open day held by the school when prospective students were presented with IWW and disability rights campaigners informing them of the school’s discriminatory approach.

“It’s essential that companies, the community and fellow workers understand that we will take all necessary steps to ensure the rights of all workers, particularly those who are marginalised” John continued. “In this case we had to show the company and the industry that discrimination, particularly against someone with a recognised disability, was unacceptable.” “I think we did that”, he added.

In what could be considered a deeply cynical move, the company claimed insolvency shortly before the judgement. However, the union’s legal team is confident the company will be properly called to account. But for Mike there are more important issues at stake: “The money doesn’t matter to me. It’s more important that the school and other owners and employers in the industry realise how relevant recognition of mental health issues is”, he said. “I hope”, he added, “that anyone who suffers in a similar way can take solace that it’s worth the fight.” And this is where the importance of how we do what we do matters.

Mike didn’t come to the IWW for a top-down union-led response. Mike was well aware of the injustices he had suffered. As an IWW member he knew he had control over how his own story would be told. As the collective mechanisms of the union worked together, a powerful momentum was created. Mike led the charge with meticulous historical evidence. Information and knowledge was shared. The Bournemouth IWW joined with other groups to place local and very real physical pressure on the company. Online, activists came together to increase and broaden the pressure. Mike and John worked together in briefing other activists with strong legal knowledge to create a solid tribunal case that properly represented Mike’s story. None of these things worked in isolation.

As Mike concluded, “I’ve come out with my head high and a reaffirmed belief in my future.” The union is immensely proud of the work Mike and John put into this case. When one TEFL worker fights back against injustice and succeeds, it makes the industry a little better for all of us. We can all hold our heads high knowing that, by sticking together, a better future is in reach for all of us. If you work in an English language school and suffer from any long-term medical issues, you have enhanced legal protections. If you’re worried that your school isn’t treating you right because of a disability, don’t suffer in silence. You can reach a union rep at tefl@iww.org.uk who can help you raise any issues or concerns with your employer.