Shelter staff to strike for two weeks in pay dispute

Staff at homelessness charity Shelter are set to strike for two weeks in December amid a dispute over pay.

Over 500 workers voted by 85% in favour of industrial action in response to an offer from management to impose a 3% pay rise, which they claim is a ‘real terms pay cut’ in line with inflation standing at 12.6%.

The strike will begin on Monday 5 December and end on Sunday 18 December.

Unite the union acting on behalf of staff at the charity claimed management has “refused to return to the negotiating table and has instead begun to impose one off payments”.

“These will leave pay rates at unacceptably low levels and fail to take into account rampant inflation,” the union said.

“Shelter’s workers are absolutely dedicated to the organisation but they have been forced to take strike action as management refused to listen and understand their financial plight. Rather than sit on ever expanding reserves, Shelter should be paying its workers a fair pay rise," it added.

Commentating on the decision to go on strikes one member of Shelter’s staff said: “The work we undertake, particularly in frontline services, is so valuable and clients depend on our teams. But that shouldn't mean they have to sacrifice a decent and dignified living because the work they are drawn to is in this sector. At the very base level, absolute bare minimum, those working for a housing charity shouldn't be experiencing housing insecurity as a result of being unable to pay rent.”

Shelter’s director of finance and strategy enablement, Tim Gutteridge, added: “Industrial action is not the outcome we wanted, but we fully respect people’s right to strike. Some of our services and shops will be impacted when industrial action takes place, but we will make every effort during this very busy time of year to continue to serve those most in need of our help.

“Regrettably the cost-of-living crisis is impacting both our colleagues and operational costs, and we are doing what we can to navigate these challenging economic times. This year, we gave all staff a 3% consolidated pay increase, as well as a one-off payment of £1,500.

“As a result, non-management staff are receiving an increase this year of between 8% and 12.3%. Shelter also continues to be a Real Living Wage employer, and we will be making the Real Living Wage Foundation’s adjustment of 10.1% earlier than required, meaning those colleagues receiving the Real Living Wage will benefit sooner from this increase to their consolidated pay.

“Our ambition remains trying to support colleagues through this difficult period, while being able to deliver our frontline services and campaign work as the housing emergency worsens.”