Unite the Union is balloting over 500 workers across southern England at St Mungo’s charity, on possible strike action.
In a debate over pay, staff are being balloted across London, Bristol, Brighton, Oxford, Bournemouth and Reading. The charity employs approximately 1,700 people across London and the South of England.
The postal ballot opened on 24 February 2023 and will run until 31 March 2023. St Mungo’s formally recognises both Unison and Unite the Union.
Unite said this goes back to a 2021 pay dispute with the charity, when a 1.75% increase was given.
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: “St Mungo’s frontline workers are on the streets every night helping the homeless but many can’t afford to pay their own rent”, adding “frontline staff are facing the full force of the cost-of-living crisis”.
A St Mungo’s spokesperson confirmed it has received official notification from Unite the Union that it is balloting its members about potential strike action over the nationally agreed pay increase staff received for the year 2021/22.
They said: “We are disappointed that our efforts to conclude this matter – which include early adoption and implementation of the 2022/23 pay rise of £1,925 (an average increase of 5.5%) and an additional cost of living payment of £700 for the majority of our staff – have so far been unsuccessful.”
The spokesperson added: “We will continue to do all we can to avoid a strike, for our colleagues, for our partners and most importantly for our clients.
“Whatever the outcome of the ballot, our focus remains the safety and welfare of our clients – including those experiencing street homelessness – and running the vital services which support them.”
The charity appointed a new chief executive, Emma Haddad, in November 2022.
Related Articles
