Reinstate Vik Chechi

Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) Unison is currently running a public campaign demanding the reinstatement of its suspended branch secretary Vik Chechi. The branch believes this suspension is linked to Vik’s opposition to the cuts. These cuts include 100 redundancies and imposed restructurings.

On 10 November, a public meeting comprising of workers, students and supporters was convened. Speaking at the meeting was Vik Chechi, April Ashley (Southwark Unison assistant branch secretary and a member of Unison’s national executive, personal capacity) and Glenn Kelly, former Unison national executive member.

QMUL Security had received orders from senior management to bar members of the public and supporters from the meeting. Not deterred, workers and students braved the cold, holding the meeting outside and took the opportunity to leaflet passing staff and students.

QMUL management have threatened to do the same at the 24 November Stop the Cuts meeting which is being organised by trade unions and students in the run-up to 30 November.

QMUL Unison communication officer, Olivia Ribeiro, said it was: “a fantastic meeting, with a wide range of supporters. However, banning members of the public is against the proud working class history of the university, whose campus centerpiece is called the ‘People’s Palace’, and the local area. It’s also a clear attempt to curtail support for trade union campaigns.”

QMUL Unison is organising a lobby of the employers on 15 November.