Shelter workers' strike success

SHELTER STRIKERS have now had two days of industrial action following their successful ballot over cuts to pay and conditions, with picket lines in London, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dumfries.

A Shelter worker

The 10 March strike was very successful. Even the police were telling us about their recent demonstration against a below-inflation pay increase and bemoaning the fact that they couldn't strike.

In London, two Shelter staff refused to cross the picket line, one of them joining the union on the spot. Management had hired extra temps to cover the work of striking staff. When the postman arrived and realised there was a picket line, he returned to his van with everyone cheering him.

There has been huge public support for the Shelter staff and absolute disbelief that management has acted in this way. Many trade unionists visited the picket line, as well as Jackie Grunsell, Socialist Party member who is a councillor in Kirklees. Ken Loach in reference to the character in his famous film, Cathy Come Home, said in a message to strikers: "If Cathy were around today, she would have also been on the picket line".

Divisions are emerging within the senior management team because of the campaign by staff and the strike action. Shelter staff will continue their struggle for the withdrawal of the unnecessary attacks on their pay and conditions. However, they still need your support. Please send messages of support to: shelterstewards@googlemail.com and c/o Alan Scott, TGWU, Woodberry, 218 Green Lanes, N4 2HB.

Send messages of protest to Shelter's senior management team: Please send hard copies and emails to Adam Sampson, Shelter, 88 Old Street, London, EC1V 9HU adam_sampson@shelter.org.uk.

Ask that it be forwarded to the Board of the Directors and copy it to Shelter stewards at the above address. Pass resolutions in your trade union branches supporting stewards and condemning these attacks.