Strike-leading trade union office ‘targeted’ in break-in with laptops and valuables stolen

_Byline Times_ is an independent, reader-funded investigative newspaper, outside of the system of the established press, reporting on ‘what the papers don’t say’ – without fear or favour. TO

SUPPORT ITS WORK, SUBSCRIBE TO THE MONTHLY _BYLINE TIMES _PRINT EDITION, PACKED WITH EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATIONS, NEWS, AND ANALYSIS. A trade union representing migrant and ethnic minority

workers has suffered a “devastating” break-in to its London HQ, with electronic equipment stolen.  United Voices of the World’s (UVW) Bethnal Green office was burgled in the early hours of

Friday morning, with laptops and essential equipment stolen, the union says. The small, grassroots union had around 3,500 members as of 2023, but has seen a surge in activity over the past

year, leading strikes of outsourced workers in the capital.  The theft comes as UVW leads strikes at prominent London museums in the capital. The union believes it was targeted, as the

office is in a shared building with dozens of other progressive organisations based there.  The break-in saw valuables worth several thousands of pounds stolen, “directly threatening the

union’s ability to support its members and coordinate vital campaigns.” DON’T MISS A STORY Activists say the theft comes at a critical time, as UVW “fights on multiple fronts” with hundreds

of outsourced security guards at the Science Museum, Natural History Museum, and Victoria and Albert Museum, due to strike this week.  Petros Elia, general secretary for UVW, said: “This

break-in is not just a theft, it’s an attack on our mission and the workers we fight for every day. While the loss of essential resources and sensitive information is a setback, we remain

undeterred.  “The security guards on strike, the workers at Harrods and all our members depend on us to support their fight for dignity, equality, and respect. We will not let this stop us.

UVW is urgently calling on supporters and the public to stand in solidarity during this difficult time.  “Contributions are needed to replace stolen equipment and ensure that vital

campaigns, including the museum strike and the Harrods dispute, continue without disruption.” There is no suggestion that Harrods or London museum employees were involved in the break-in.  A

spokesperson for the union added that the offices were “ransacked” by five people.  “We believe this may have been a targeted break-in, possibly linked to corporate espionage. CCTV footage

shows two individuals carrying out a well-planned, professional operation.  “At around 1am, they used large crowbars to break through three doors and spent only a few minutes in the office,

leaving most valuables untouched. This raises serious questions about their intentions. “What’s even more suspicious is that UVW shares its building (Pelican House) with over 50 other

organisations across six floors. Despite this, our office was the only one targeted, even though others would have been easier to access in many ways,” they said.  The union says that around

5am, the office was broken into again, this time by three people. “These individuals may have been opportunists who spotted the broken gate and decided to take advantage, or they could have

heard rumours on the street about an office left open to looting,” the union spokesperson told this outlet.  The union is asking for donations to help replace stolen equipment and “ensure

campaigns for dignity and equality continue.” ENJOYING THIS ARTICLE? HELP US TO PRODUCE MORE Receive the monthly _Byline Times_ newspaper and help to support fearless, independent journalism

that breaks stories, shapes the agenda and holds power to account. We’re not funded by a billionaire oligarch or an offshore hedge-fund. We rely on our readers to fund our journalism. If

you like what we do, please subscribe. A spokesperson for the Met Police told _Byline Times_: “Police were called at 12:08hrs on Friday, 10 January of reports of a burglary on Cambridge

Heath Road, E1.  “Officers attended the scene at Pelican House, where up to three suspects were alleged to have forced entry and stolen items from the United Voices of the World office on

two separate occasions, whilst damaging the property to gain access. “Items alleged to have been stolen include 10-15 laptops, five mobile phones and two portable speakers. “No injuries were

reported and no arrests have been made as of yet. Police are investigating CCTV and forensic evidence. Enquiries are ongoing.” United Voices of the World began with a small group of Latin

American cleaners in 2014. The union has been involved in several significant industrial disputes over the past decade, including industrial action at the London School of Economics, which

resulted in major changes to outsourcing arrangements for cleaning staff.  Similar wins were achieved following disputes at St Mary’s Hospital (part of Imperial College Healthcare Trust) and

Great Ormond Street Hospital. The union also launched what it describes as the first case arguing that outsourcing Black, brown, and migrant workers at inferior wages compared to in-house

workers who are mostly white constitutes institutional and unlawful race discrimination. This case, involving Royal Parks workers, is currently going through the appeals process in the

courts.  SUBSCRIBERS GET MORE FROM JOSIAH JOSIAH MORTIMER also writes the On the Ground column, exclusive to the print edition of _Byline Times_. So for more from him…