CAIWU Internal Caseworker

The Cleaners and Allied Independent Workers Union ("CAIWU") is the national union of cleaners. CAIWU is a campaigning organization known for its high-profile campaigns at various prominent institutions such as the Royal Opera House, University of London, Facebook, Nike Town, British Medical Association, and the Ministry of Defence. Our primary focus is advocating for our members to achieve increased pay and better working conditions. Furthermore, CAIWU provides legal representation for its members in workplace grievances, disciplinary hearings, employment tribunals, and personal injury claims.

CAIWU is seeking to hire an enthusiastic and committed person to join its legal department as Internal Caseworker. This is a hands-on role representing union members across the full spectrum of workplace issues. You’ll be the first point of contact for members seeking advice on employment rights, providing practical support and representation in internal company processes such as disciplinary, grievance, consultation, and welfare meetings. You’ll take cases from initial advice through to ACAS conciliation — drafting grievances and appeals, liaising with employers to resolve disputes, quantifying potential claims, and negotiating settlements. The role offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on members’ working lives while developing strong advocacy, negotiation, and case management skills. While the primary focus is on pre-litigation work, there will also be opportunities to gain exposure to Employment Tribunal case management and litigation, working closely with CAIWU’s external legal department. This position is particularly suited to aspiring lawyers seeking practical experience in employment law and advocacy.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A strong academic background.
• Completion of the Bar Course or LPC (desirable but not essential).
• Demonstrable relevant legal experience.
• The ability to work under pressure and manage a varied caseload.
• A strong commitment to the trade union ethos.
• Language skills (particularly Spanish) — desirable but not essential.

Salary and Start Date:

• £28,000 per annum, rising to £31,200 upon successful completion of a 3-month probationary period.
• Start date: as soon as possible.

Our recruitment process consists of three stages: a paper sift, a written legal problem, and an interview. To apply, please submit:

• A CV (maximum 2 pages), and
• A cover letter (maximum 1 page) outlining your suitability for and commitment to the role.

Please send applications to cases@caiwu.org.uk by 5pm on 4 November 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the application window may close early if a suitable number of strong candidates is reached before the deadline. Candidates who pass the paper sift will be sent a legal problem by 5pm on 5 November 2025 and will have to complete it by 5pm on 11 November (we anticipate it will take a few hours). Interviews will take place during the week commencing 10 November 2025. We assess all candidates solely on merit. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact cases@caiwu.org.uk.