Members of the union Unite at homelessness charity St Mungo’s have extended their month long strike over pay "indefinitely".
The union has branded the charity’s management as “callous” and said it has instigated a “do nothing approach to negotiations”.
As part of their action, striking staff have begun staging protests outside the workplaces of the charity’s trustees
“They cannot wash their hands of responsibility,” said Unite, adding that trustees “must demand action”.
The current month-long strike ends on 26 June with their indefinite action starting the next day.
“This momentous decision has been provoked by the on-going indifference of management and trustees who callously refuse to acknowledge the struggle front line workers face to pay the bills,” said Unite.
“After tax and deductions frontline workers take home less than £20,000 a year. Many of the workers are now in fear themselves after being unable to pay their rent or mortgage on their current poverty wages.
“The indifference of the management and trustees to their own staff smacks of the corporatisation of the charity sector.”
The move follows a ballot of 500 workers across the charity’s bases in London, Bristol, Brighton, Oxford, Bournemouth and Reading.
“St Mungo’s workers are taking indefinite strike action because management and the trustees are displaying astonishing callousness. This attitude is corporate Britain meets the charity sector.” @UniteSharon 1/2https://t.co/44rLz259Vj
— Unite the union: join a union (@unitetheunion) June 19, 2023
The union’s workers are concerned that the charity has “refused to improve its pitiful” 2.25% pay offer amid the cost-of-living crisis amid a dispute that dates back to 2021.
“St Mungo’s workers are taking indefinite strike action because management and the trustees are displaying astonishing callousness,” said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.
“This attitude is corporate Britain meets the charity sector. The workers know St Mungo’s can afford to improve front line workers’ pay. That’s why the blame for this indefinite strike lies with St Mungo’s management and Board.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that the workers have Unite’s ongoing support.”
Unite claims that average CEO pay at the charity has risen by 77% over the last decade.
“It was unexpected to hear that Unite the Union has extended its period of strike action indefinitely,” said St Mungo’s chief executive Emma Haddad.
“We are in the middle of discussions aimed at finding a solution and had a constructive meeting with Unite representatives on 12 June.
“Bringing an end to this unprecedented period of industrial action remains our key priority, so we can all focus on working together to support people at risk of, or recovering from, homelessness."
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