The union is proud to report that our members at Learnship have received their October wages. The union commends their dedication in holding the company to account and thanks everyone who offered support and solidarity.
Teachers at Learnship are delighted that, in their campaign to secure justice, they’ve received their October wages.
According to teacher Alfonso M:
“I’m a bit speechless at the moment. We all know the horror stories of online teaching companies folding and leaving teachers out of pocket. It’s only down to the persistence of the teachers and the support of the union that we got to this point!”
The exact situation of the company remains unclear. An administrator has been appointed but a new investor has apparently also been found – although the identity of this investor has so far not been shared with the teachers. Nor have the teachers received confirmation that their November wages will be paid.
But while the October wages are a reason to celebrate, the struggle is not over. Hundreds of teachers remain in contact with each other, planning, sharing, and supporting one another. The bonds of solidarity they’ve built over the past few weeks will not easily be broken and their determination to hold the company to account isn’t going anywhere either.
And, as a union, we have a message for Learnship, too: We’re watching you. If the teachers don’t receive their full wages – for November and into the future – we’re waiting in the wings. We have lawyers at the ready and we’re ready to jump back into full-fledged campaign mode if you don’t make things right.
According to Tom Liebewitz, the lead organiser of the TEFL Workers’ Union who’s been supporting the teachers in their campaign:
“The teachers deserve full credit for this. Learnship clearly thought they could get away with just fleecing the teachers of their wages, but it was the teachers’ ability to quickly self-organise and establish a collective voice that secured them their rightful wages. For the union’s part, the teachers can look forward to our continued support.”
The union would like to thank everyone who participated in our email campaign. We also want to send out a special thanks to the German IWW (the gloriously named GLAMROC) and our friends in the FAU. We have more to unveil in our campaign to secure justice for the teachers, so watch this space.
Working in online ELT is far too precarious: bogus self-employment, dodgy online platforms, and bosses that keep us isolated and alienated from our workmates. But if we come together, we can hold the bosses to account. If you work in online ELT, don’t wait until there’s a crisis. Join the union today and get organised!
Has anyone else not been paid for October? I’m still waiting