Jean Lambert MEP and members of the Green Party Trade Union Group demonstrated yesterday, May Day, for the rights of low paid migrant workers in the various colleges of London University. Many of the cleaners and catering staff came and addressed the protest, which also included academic staff working at the university.
The demonstration was greeted by the news that two colleges have agreed to pay their staff the London Living Wage – they are Birkbeck and the London College of Hygiene. As one of the student speakers said: “May Day is an opportunity for all workers at the university and students to demonstrate together and campaign together for a Living Wage. We have already achieved success with 50 per cent of the Bloomsbusy colleges. Now we must inisist that the others, such as the Institute of Education and UCL pay their staff the Living Wage.”
This demonstration gives the lie to those who say that change cannot come about by political pressure. This is why we need more Greens in the European Parliament and Jean Lambert re-elected as MEP for London. Jean has been a determined fighter for the rights of migrant workers and the low paid in Europe. I took part in the demo as a member of the Trade Union Group and was proud to carry the London Green Party banner around the campus.
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