Support service workers at London-based charity Hestia are taking further strike action this week over an ongoing pay dispute.
According to workers union Unite, 13 of Hestia’s around 20 staff based in Hounslow are striking from Monday to Friday this week and will stage a protest outside the charity’s head office on Wednesday.
The charity disputed the union’s numbers, saying instead that only seven workers went on strike on Monday.
Unite has accused Hestia of refusing to negotiate while the charity has said it recognises a different union, Unison, for collective bargaining rights.
Union: ‘Low pay, lost expenses’
Hestia’s staff previously took part in strike action in December over the pay dispute.
Unite regional officer, Steve O’Donnell said: “Hestia now faces a series of strikes in Hounslow. The council must be genuinely concerned about the disruption and Hestia’s refusal to negotiate. The issues won’t go away just because bosses ignore them.
“Workers continue to face unmanageable caseloads, low pay, lost expenses, increased stress and increased sickness. Hestia have done nothing to address the lack of resources. Hestia management are truly delinquent. Bosses need to step-up and resolve this dispute.”
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: “Hestia’s shambolic management are running the service into the ground.
“The workers on strike are taking a brave stand against ignorant bosses who refused to listen to wise counsel.
“It must be dawning on Hestia’s management that strike action won’t end until negotiations begin and a deal is reached.”
Charity: ‘We are trying to reduce staff workloads’
Hestia Hounslow LIFE is a referral service which provides adult services in Hounslow.
A Hestia spokesperson said: “As a charity, we value our dedicated and passionate staff without whom we would not be able to deliver life-changing services across the capital. We have been working with staff at Hounslow LIFE about changes to their service to reduce their workloads and have had positive feedback from them on the steps we have taken.
“A small number of staff at our Hounslow service went out on strike. We are of course doing everything we can to ensure that any disruption for our service users is minimised. We will also continue to work alongside our staff to ensure we are doing everything possible to make this vital service as successful as it can be.
“We cannot deliver support to those who need us without our talented and dedicated staff. To strengthen our engagement with employees, we have formally recognised Unison for collective bargaining rights, and we will continue to work with them alongside our existing employee forum to create the best working environment possible for Hestia employees.”
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