Nathan Murtagh, Sheffield Shelter worker and unite member
Following homelessness charity Shelter’s unacceptable 2022-2023 pay offer of 3% plus one-off lump sums, Unite the Union members in Shelter planned industrial action for 12 days in December.
We are aware of the importance of the work we do, and how many thousands of people rely on our services. From our tireless frontline emergency advice lines to our brilliant policy team, from our fundraisers to our retail staff, Shelter is a valuable force. It shines light on successive government inaction on providing safe and affordable social housing to a nation which is crying out for homes.
We knew that without a proper consolidated pay rise, the services we provide would suffer. Many, including myself, would have to consider taking better-paid work in other sectors of employment. We are well-used to the ‘goodwill tax’ that charity workers pay (putting up with low pay), but the cost-of-living crisis would push us past the boundaries of goodwill.
On the tenth day of planned action, union stewards returned to ACAS talks and secured an offer of 7% plus retention of the majority of one-off payments. In a vote, this pay offer passed with a 95% acceptance rate on an 85% turnout of members.
Collective action is never easy, but without it, there is no doubt that we could not have achieved the pay offer that we have. A consolidated increase of 7% means that the dedicated and talented staff at Shelter can continue to fight for homes.
Withdrawing our labour and standing together in solidarity has given us the opportunity to re-emphasise the value of our labour, and through that ensure that we do not lose the expertise that keeps Shelter operating at the level required to continue to fight for those who rely on our services.
