IT workers on strike at Goodlord. Photo: London SP

IT workers on strike at Goodlord. Photo: London SP   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

The all-out action at lettings platform Goodlord is making headway. Strikers remain firm while pressure is rising on bosses at the tech firm in Spitalfields, east London.

The tenant-referencing department is essential to the business. Insurance sales to letting firms are key to Goodlord’s revenue, and referencing checks on tenants are key to the insurance.

However, workers in tenant referencing have been badly mistreated by management. (See ‘Goodlord striker speaks out: workers have to fight for our skills to be appreciated’ at socialistparty.org.uk.)

The strikers’ union, Unite, is demanding restoration of the London Living Wage. That’s a mere £10.85 an hour. Management says that remote working means staff don’t need it anymore – a warning to all London office workers.

Pickets have heard that morale among those still at work in tenant referencing has plummeted. With experienced staff on strike, errors are multiplying and service levels faltering. Clients will not be pleased.

Goodlord founder and chief operating officer Tom Mundy has been met with vibrant, determined picket lines.

Bosses enter the office to chants of “you say Goodlord, we say Badlord” and “we want a living wage! When do we want it? Now!”

It’s in management’s power to end the strike. A living wage and permanent contracts could have workers back in and cleaning up the mess their bosses have made in no time.

East London Socialist Party