The strike of workers at St Mungo’s is due to start on 30 May. St Mungo’s is a sector leader in the field of homelessness. That is why their strike is so important to other homelessness workers. A victory for the St Mungo’s workers would be a huge victory for workers across the sector, and would inspire other workers in less well organised workplaces. Members of Unite housing workers’ branch explain:
Alan Giddings, Secretary of Unite LE 1111 housing workers’ branch and St Mungo’s locum worker
I am striking because it is essential that the St Mungo’s board and CEO realise it is not in the best interests of staff or clients to pay below-inflation pay awards, that lead to staff not being able to pay bills, high rents and increasing mortgage payments. The board, which is composed of numerous city high-flyers, and the CEO, nudging £200,000 a year, are out of touch with their employees. Striking is our last resort for us to win a fair settlement.
Ian Clements, Hestia striker
The situation at St Mungo’s is typical of the charity and housing sectors. The CEOs are paid more than the prime minister, while frontline workers have to claim Universal Credit and use food banks. St Mungo’s workers are fighting for us all, and for a society in which human beings’ basic needs, like food and housing, are met by fair wages and a proper welfare state, not dependent on the ‘charity’ of rich people who exploit workers.
Solidarity from Unite members at Hestia, please remember and support our dispute!
Ben Goldstone, Support worker currently employed by Thamesreach
I support striking St Mungo’s workers because it’s a horrid irony that those working in the homelessness sector are being paid a wage that doesn’t allow them to afford their rent or mortgage payments, among other bills and outgoings.
Meanwhile the CEO has seen their pay packet soar over the last few years! This in itself shows that it’s not that the money isn’t there, it’s just being kept out of the hands of workers and going straight into the pockets of the bosses. Workers are striking to help rebalance this and receive a wage they can actually live on
Join the discussion: ‘How we fight the anti-union laws’ at the National Shop Stewards Network conference in London on 24 June.
2023 NSSN Conference – Saturday 24 June in Conway Hall, London 11am-4.30pm –Attendance fee £6. You can register on the day at conference or email us in advance via [email protected]
Confirmed speakers so far: NIPSA General Secretary Carmel Gates, BFAWU General Secretary Sarah Woolley, POA General Secretary Steve Gillan, NAPO National Official Annoesjka Valent, GMB Officer Gary Palmer from the victorious #GMBThree
