RSA Union
@RsaUnion
Followers
2K
Following
2K
Media
128
Statuses
2K
RSA Union organising with @IWGBunion | Recognition won at @theRSAorg
Joined August 2022
🚨 BREAKING 🚨. Last year, our colleague, friend and union representative Ruth Hannan was fired from the RSA due to trade union activity. A few weeks ago, the courts found the RSA to be guilty of breaking employment law by dismissing her.
8
192
424
📢 HUGE NEWS! 📢. Staff at the RSA have voted OVERWHELMINGLY for the first strike action in the organisation’s history. With a 79% turnout and a 93% vote in favour, we'll be on strike on Tuesday 19th and Thursday 21st of September. Support here:
9
200
391
We’re the RSA union, a majority collective of staff working with @IWGBunion towards recognition. You can find out more about why we’re seeking recognition in today’s @ObserverUK by @_tomwall and here’s a short🧵on how you can support us 1/6.
12
227
365
🥁It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for… the RSA ballot results are in! With a whopping 86% of the vote, and 85% turnout – the RSA have voted IN FAVOUR of recognition! You can read all about it in the latest from @TomWall and @theGuardian here….
3
80
238
🚨Important update - please RT🚨Thank you! We were blown away by the support we received in the last few days. Sadly, one of our union colleagues involved in the Observer article on Sunday was prevented from returning to work on Monday as a consequence of their involvement. 1/6.
4
157
212
So despite a petition, a survey, and a majority vote showing that @theRSAorg staff would like to unionise with @iwgb, management are refusing voluntary recognition and insist we'd be better off with a staff representative group🙄Here’s why we want union recognition instead: a 🧵.
2
84
187
Earlier today, the Metropolitan Police contacted the offices of our trade union, @IWGBunion, on two separate occasions, reportedly at the request of @theRSAorg. Please read our statement below.
6
130
188
Today, we're calling on the public to boycott the Royal Society of Arts. We are watching the organisation we believe in sink lower every day. Urgent change is needed. This is not a decision we take lightly, but one that has become necessary due to management's intransigence.
7
122
168
Since March 2022, 86 skilled staff have left the RSA due to pay & toxic environment. We joined RSA believing we would help shape radical change but the reality is so different. Watch these brave RSA leavers share their stories . Support us in our upcoming strike on 10 & 18 Oct!
8
63
125
The latest @EnglishHeritage blue plaque, a scheme that spun out of @theRSAorg no less, has been erected at RSA House. 😏 #FairPay4RSA #RSAStrikes
0
28
124
1/7 You may have seen that we were due to begin negotiating with mgmt. Two days before our first meeting, ignoring 86% of us voting for a union and a say in our working lives, mgmt said they’re not interested in discussing anything beyond the legal minimum with us, and cancelled.
2
51
93
Thank you all for the incredible support yesterday. Big news coming but in the meantime a question for you all. Guess which option they didn't go with. ?
0
32
77
This week, mgmt have repeatedly said the article contained "many inaccuracies" and have attacked the credibility of IWGB. The only misprint we found was that our petition was in fact signed by 75% of staff, not 57% as quoted. 3/6.
1
10
69
We're also incredibly disappointed that management have prohibited staff from sharing or commenting on the Observer article, effectively restricting legitimate trade union activity. This is why some of us have gone quiet. 2/6.
1
18
67
Despite being accused of being anti-RSA, we are all supporters of the RSA and encourage all Fellows or prospective Fellows interested in this story to continue their membership, but to use their voices to make their support known. 5/6.
1
12
65
What a week it’s been! What a joy to work alongside Fellows and colleagues in the charity sector (and beyond) to get @theRSAorg staff voices out there. Here’s a short 🧵 of all we've accomplished together in just 7 short days:.
1
14
62
The RSA are saying publicly they want to negotiate and resolve the dispute. Their behaviour yesterday indicated the opposite. Kirby, one of our union reps who has worked at @theRSAorg for over 4.5yrs spoke at the protest about negotiations yesterday.
4
29
67
RSA management has (three times!) refused voluntary union recognition. Which came as a surprise to many Fellows and staff. Here’s why: for YEARS, the RSA has supported unions & worker voice. A 🧵 1/8.
1
31
60
Hey @theRSAorg!. Not a great look to have a police van stationed outside the flagship Fellows Festival due to a peaceful protest is it?. At what point does Andy Haldane admit his leadership of the RSA has been a disaster?. #BoycottRSA
4
34
67
You might have seen @thersaorg released a statement about union activity recently. “Misleading claims” is their main complaint. We noticed their statement made a few misleading claims. And unlike the RSA, we’re happy to show our working:
1
33
63
We will continue to talk openly about our journey. Follow us to continue to hear it. Share with your friends and family. Share with your colleagues. Help us get recognition! 6/6.
1
12
58
Still no apology to staff or fellows, or acknowledgement of any wrong doing internally from management regarding the event yesterday. They don't care. They need to be held to account.
3
20
59
When #charity workers unionise, we achieve great things. We make our workplaces fairer, more democratic places where we can do our best work. In our campaign for recognition at @theRSAorg, we’re inspired by the #union WINS💥in the charity sector (h/t @iwgbcharity). A 🧵1/6.
1
13
51
@theRSAorg - fixed that for you. A 🧵 1/5.
We have released a statement regarding union recognition. You can read the statement in full on our website.
1
32
58
Hello again! We’re back, and wanted to update you on what we’ve been up to. We submitted our pay claim to mgmt in January, to recognise brilliant, hard-working RSA staff at a time of significant financial challenges. 🧵 1/7
How much does @thersaorg value its staff? In January we submitted a pay claim to mgmt, so we can discuss with them how to bring about better and fairer pay. Here are some damning examples as to why it's needed 🧵1/6.
2
49
58
We continue to stand by the IWGB, who represent many other charities in the sector similar to the RSA. 4/6.
1
9
52
Meanwhile, the RSA leadership team's pay has increased from £359k in 2022 to £976k in 2023 - a 270% increase. Their £1k offer to staff averages around 2.5%…2/6.
2
7
57
We’ve been overwhelmed by speakers and guests contacting us telling us they’re boycotting @theRSAorg Fellows Festivals in solidarity with the union. Huge thanks for your support to #boycottRSA until Andy Haldane and senior management resolve this dispute
3
21
50
Happy update! We just wanted to take a moment, in the middle of a difficult time, to thank you for all of the support we’ve received including…brownies! 🍫🍪An anonymous Support Group has sent us a care package which has brought a tear of joy in a couple of eyes.
2
5
51
🗳🗳🗳 It's BALLOT TIME! 🗳🗳🗳. @theRSAorg is refusing us voluntary recognition, despite a survey & petition showing the vast majority of staff support a union. So now we're VOTING for statutory recognition 📮📮📮
2
16
51
Another big week for the RSA union! It’s nonstop over here. First big thank you, to our amazing, anonymous support group, who’ve provided all the following for our work. FIRST: These incredible brownies!! (1/9)
1
19
41
Yesterday speakers walked out of the Newcastle Fellows Festival demanding Andy Haldane resolves the union dispute. Thank you @SaraBryson1, @BillCorcoran5 and @DanLonsdale_ for your solidarity!. It's time for @theRSAorg to settle this before more events are disrupted like this.
0
25
51
1/6 We're also interested in #whatcouldgoright today. As the #RSAFellowsFestival kicks off, we're thinking about all the things we'd like to go right at the RSA 🧵
1
30
48
And so as it stands we’re working towards a statutory recognition, but we’d love a voluntary agreement that was more expansive and aligns w RSA values. We’ll be sharing more about our journey towards recognition over the coming weeks. In the meantime, we need your help… 5/6.
1
5
39
Andy Haldane should rightfully be called out for his anti-union, law breaking behaviour whenever he tries to dismiss and undermine our dispute in the media. Solidarity @johnmcdonnellMP.
3
25
44
We’re in the process of negotiating our bargaining unit and we hope in the coming weeks to move towards a recognition agreement. Here’s what’s happened so far… 2/6
1
6
39
We’ll continue to strike and #boycottRSA until we’re able to reach a resolution where @theRSAorg workers are paid fairly and treated with respect ✊ please join us outside RSA House next week! (timings tba)
0
30
45
We care about the RSA - we believe staff voice can make it better. One obvious audience for our concerns would be. you guessed it. our trustees. We decided to write them a LETTER 💌💌💌 1/🧵
1
26
42
The RSA leadership have stated that the organisation does not think unionisation is in the best interests of our staff, fellows or the charity sector in general. We were pretty surprised as this isn’t something the leadership have always said in public in the past… 4/6.
2
7
38
Thank you for your solidarity @yanisvaroufakis!. When @theRSAorg is losing the support of progressive giants like Yanis it's clear that urgent, serious action is required. Until Andy Haldane makes serious changes we'll continue to call for a boycott of the RSA. #BoycottRSA.
We have cancelled our event at the RSA on 15/02 in support of staff who are in a pay dispute with management. It's our hope that this boycott will help the @RsaUnion to ensure that the RSA, with its historically progressive aims, offers fair pay and conditions for all staff.
0
17
38
Fellows of @theRSAorg are coming together to demand an independent inquiry. For too long Andy Haldane and co have not been held to account & have been left to drag the RSA through the mud. If you're a Fellow, join the call below!.
1
37
43
On Friday, we sent a counter offer to RSA management in the hope that we could re-enter negotiations and swiftly resolve our dispute. Sadly, not only did they reject our proposal, they shut the door to negotiations and threatened to rescind their current offer. Our statement:
1
33
44
0
15
40
Tomorrow should have seen Princess Anne attend the Bicentenary Medal celebrating 100 years of Awards at the RSA. Due to “unforeseen” circumstances it has been cancelled. Join members from 1pm for strike day 2 with our own awards ceremony, food and drink, a rally and more!
0
12
40
Andy Haldane loves to dish out advice to build his brand, but when it comes to his own workplace he's just as cowardly and inept as the people he criticises. The RSA has £8.7 million in unrestricted reserves. Invest in your staff. (He gave himself a huge pay rise last year.)
3
26
40
It's been a very hard week for all staff at @theRSAorg. Leadership response has been disappointing and again missed an opportunity for dialogue.Even more members have joined @IWGBunion We are strong + remain commited to shaping a better RSA workplace
1
14
36
In March 2022 the RSA Union first requested recognition, representing a majority of staff. We sought voluntary recognition to work collaboratively with our new leadership to reach the best working arrangement for our colleagues. This has been denied on three occasions… 3/6.
1
5
34
How much does @thersaorg value its staff? In January we submitted a pay claim to mgmt, so we can discuss with them how to bring about better and fairer pay. Here are some damning examples as to why it's needed 🧵1/6.
1
20
37
Any strike action is disruptive. But it isn't inevitable. Union members are ready to come back to negotiations if management commit to an improved offer. Please support our campaign for fairer pay - and keep an eye out for our ballot results soon! 6/6.
3
4
36
It's fantastic to see such a high-profile name supporting our call for #FairPay4RSA. @GeorgeMonbiot, we salute you. This will only add further pressure on @theRSAorg's Andy Haldane to return to the negotiation table. (1/4).
I'm sorry to say that I've had to cancel the talk I was giving at the Royal Society of Arts on November 29th, as I will not cross a picket line.
3
15
37
The @theRSAorg boycott continues to grow!. Thank you to @UCL_UCU for pledging to boycott the RSA until the dispute is resolved. Management think they can drag their heels and intimidate staff into giving up. Unlucky for them, support is only growing. Time for a proper offer.
0
21
35
Pathetic from Andy Haldane & RSA mgmt to release a vapid statement on the union and our fight for fair pay on Thursday, as they shamefully hosted Israeli govt. event, ignoring protests happening outside and the distress of staff. A feeble statement from a flailing leadership.
0
15
32
Here is our statement on the RSA's AGM today that leaves no place for staff or Fellows' voices
2
24
33
Firstly, trade unions enjoy a statutory right to be consulted over ANY changes to pay and holiday ✅.Staff representative groups? Nope❌.Trade union reps, by law, have paid time off to carry out their duties and for training ✅.Staff representative group reps?None of the above❌.
1
4
34
Last week, @theRSAorg management held a negotiation with our reps in an attempt to prevent strike action. They did not give an official offer, and the proposals made were almost identical to the offers they had made before. Strike action will continue next week. Our statement:
0
16
32
RSA management have been attacking the union with moves straight out of the union busting playbook. Instead of resolving the dispute, Andy Haldane and co are briefing the press saying that the voice of RSA staff isn't to be trusted. Shameful.
0
17
31
More press on @theRSAorg's worrying trajectory in The Times this week. 94 staff members have left the RSA in less than a year. Many of us who have stayed remain determined to resist management's increasingly toxic direction of travel. This year - the fight continues.
Voices in opposition to the @theRSAorg leadership are growing louder. With fellows resigning, staff leaving and judges ruling against them, management are struggling to stifle the mounting criticism. Here The Times reports on the self-inflicted crisis.
0
19
34
Thanks for reading! If you’re a Fellow, please take 2mins to sign the open letter supportive Fellows have started 🥰 calling on management to recognise the union, in line with previous RSA reports on the value of worker voice
3
1
33
Today we took part in ACAS talks with @theRSAorg. They failed to come with an improved offer, instead repeating the derisory offer that was unanimously rejected in Dec. They failed to make a single new offer throughout the entire 7hr negotiation. Andy Haldane did not attend.
1
16
33
Looks like tonight’s picket breaking @loydgrossman event hosted at @theRSAorg this evening hasn’t drawn much attendance. This should be a sauce for concern for Andy Haldane and management. #BoycottRSA
0
10
31
RSA Fellows have created an open letter that is mentioned in the article, any Fellows who wish to sign can do so here, please consider doing so and sharing further 3/4
4
16
28
Tonight Loyd Grossman is speaking at £100 per ticket event at @theRSAorg. Naturally, we’re picketing with homemade pasta and tomato sauce and pasta related puns. #BoycottRSA
0
15
35
While his own staff union protest for fair pay outside, Andy Haldane dismisses us as his “fan club”, having reported us to the police the week before. What a picture of unchecked privilege. Disrespectful and shameful behaviour from @theRSAorg’s current CEO.
1
20
31
Finally: our experience. The RSA had a staff representative group for over a year. Reps found that management did not listen to staff concerns or take them seriously ❌.There’s *power* in a union ✊✊✊.
1
2
31
You’re all invited to our strike fundraiser party on Thursday 14th September 🎉. Come party with us & raise money for #RSAUnion strike fund! Good times guaranteed with incredible DJs, food, drinks and strike art🕺. #FairPay4RSA.
0
28
33
The troops are rallying. Come and join us if you can. Find out more about why we're taking industrial action here: #FairPay4RSA #RSAStrike
1
12
35
Absolutely incredible to have all of @LondonUCU pledging to boycott @theRSAorg in solidarity with the union!. #BoycottRSA.
At our meeting on Thursday 8 February, London Region UCU voted to support the #BoycottRSA campaign and encourage branches to do likewise.
0
6
33
7/7 If you support staff at the RSA being treated with respect, please share our message with your friends and colleagues. We'll be back with more concrete ways for Fellows to support, but you can still sign the Fellows open letter below which will be delivered to management soon.
1
7
28
Last month, @theRSAorg shameful managerial decisions led to Isaac Herzog live streaming speeches from RSA House. Today, quotes from Isaac Herzog were read at ICJ in relation to breaching the genocide convention. Andy Haldane: does this align with the values of your organisation?.
0
19
30
A reminder to Andy Haldane: you can sit back on your excessive salary and refuse to resolve the union dispute, but the fight will continue. Solidarity to the supporters that called out Andy at a recent @theRSAorg event. You can’t hide from your responsibilities forever.
1
16
31
@GeorgeMonbiot Thank you for your support, George. You and your work are constant sources of inspiration for many of our colleagues at the RSA. To have your solidarity means a lot.
0
0
30
A recognised trade union means legal protection against ‘dismissal and detriment’. Very pertinent at @theRSAorg where a colleague was prevented from returning to work for publicly supporting the union ✅.There’s no such protection for staff representative groups ❌.
1
3
28
Management have withheld information we're legally entitled to as part of collective bargaining, changed the organisation’s reserves policy during the negotiations process & delegitimised the union's position in emails to all staff as “reckless” and “risking jobs”. 4/6.
1
3
30
It's strike day three as @theRSAorg staff look to negotiate a fair pay deal in the #costofliving crisis. We want to return to the table to discuss our pay claim but no offer has been forthcoming from Andy Haldane. So see you at RSA House for more celebrations of solidarity.
1
8
30
RSA staff want the RSA to be better, but also the whole charity sector. Unionising links us to colleagues in @iwgbcharity to share advice, solidarity and support ✅.Not so with a staff rep group ❌.
1
1
27
As a union, we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of public support, particularly from Fellows, who we encourage to remain with @thersaorg, which is made better by them working with us in our campaign for change. 4/4.
1
5
25
Really encouraging to see Andy advocating for higher wages and investing in people on @SkyNews #PoliticsHub tonight! We look forward to negotiating with him and @theRSAorg leadership soon. @SophyRidgeSky @NickFerrariLBC @DawnButlerBrent.
Watch live Sky News' weeknight politics show #PoliticsHub with @SophyRidgeSky, with guests including:. 🔴 Former Bank of England chief economist, Andy Haldane.🔴 Labour MP @DawnButlerBrent.🔴 Radio host @NickFerrariLBC. Follow live
0
14
29
Donate to the strike hardship fund to support workers sacrificing their pay to win a better deal for all the hard working members of staff at the RSA!.
2
18
28
Placards challenging the flag for air space. The troops are rallying. #FairPay4RSA #RSAStrike
0
7
29
Huge shout out to the support we’ve had from across UCU in passing motions to support #RSAboycott massive thanks and solidarity @sussexucu @UM_UCU @GoldsmithsUCU @RcaUcu @ImperialUCU @RcaUcu @DucuUo @UCULondon @BirminghamUCU @huducu @uculincoln @UCUNUbranch @UCUEssex.
1
8
29
Thank you @johnmcdonnellMP for the solidarity! Time settle this dispute for good. #BoycottRSA.
Solidarity to staff at Royal Society of Arts taking action to secure decent pay. The message to management & trustees of the RSA is to get to the negotiating table with a serious offer to settle this dispute, which is undermining the reputation of this body. @RsaUnion
0
8
28
Sorry we were quiet for a bit, but we're back! With a quick request (and other updates to follow). Any lovely FRSAs who follow us on here & support our mission, we would LOVE if you could show your support for us at tomorrow's Fellowship Town Hall:
1
18
25
This is extremely disturbing news. Not only has Andy Haldane and senior management sanctioned censorship on @theRSAorg’s supposed open community platform, but they are also preventing its Fellows from convening, something the charity boasts as being part of its mission.
@AnnandAdam @theRSAorg @RsaUnion My words on Circle were deleted when I suggested an Open Meeting of Fellows to discuss the strike, and again when I raised a question as to why such words were censored, and again when I raised a factual query about governance of the RSA.
1
22
27
So much love and energy in these photos. 😍💚 #FairPay4RSA #RSAStrikes.
🔥 TODAY WAS THE FIRST EVER STRIKE DAY AT THE RSA IN IT’S 270 YEAR HISTORY 🔥. Huge solidarity with @RsaUnion who took to the picket line today for an amazing strike day, and thank you to @johnmcdonnellMP and @ZackPolanski for your inspiring speeches!. #FairPay4RSA
1
10
27
And TU #solidarity goes beyond our own workplace, and means togetherness with a wider trade union movement - workers in EVERY sector fighting for a better workplace ✅.You don’t get that with a staff rep group ❌.
1
1
25
1000 FOLLOWERS woooo! 🎉🎉🎉 Welcome to our new followers, and thanks to everyone for your supportive messages. They've been a big boost on our journey to recognition 😊 1/3.
1
1
23
Having exhausted all avenues to achieving a fair pay rise, the union has taken the only meaningful option left open to us: balloting for strike action. 5/6.
1
2
27
Staff in the union have repeatedly rejected the RSA’s initial pay offer of £1k. Union reps were told that even if 100% of staff rejected it, management would be unwilling to improve their offer. 3/6.
1
2
26
Back once again…! .Wrap up warm and join us outside @theRSAorg. We will be bringing the music and the moves 🕺🏻💃🏻🪩. See you there!.
THURSDAY AT 4PM, @RsaUnion STRIKE AGAIN!. We want to see you! Come down after work and make some noise with us!
1
13
26
Tomorrow, we will be out on the picket line for the third time in @theRSAorg’s history as we rally for #FairPay4RSA. Take a look at how we have reached this point & how you can support our cause ✊
1
14
29
1/3 We just heard the Fellows Townhall - "a regular gathering of global Fellows, together with key senior staff, to promote two-way conversations" - won't have an open chat to hear from attendees + the RSA have closed ticket sales early so "pro-union Fellows" can't attend.
1
13
25