Shelter staff to strike in cost-of-living pay dispute
Housing charity branded "arrogant and high-handed" by Unite union but Shelter says it's doing best it can in difficult times
ENGLAND'S cost-of-living crisis continues to breed unrest, with homelessness charity Shelter itself now facing workers' ire: staff are set to strike in an ongoing dispute over pay.
Over 500 people working for the charity will stage a two-week strike next month, beginning on Monday, 5 December, and ending on Sunday 19. The Unite union, representing the workers, claims they were left no other option.
The move towards industrial action comes in the wake of a pay rise offer the union says is effectively a pay cut in real terms.
This has become a common theme in many sectors over the last year, as inflation mounts, and the soaring costs of energy and housing have precipitated a crisis of income among workers.
Shelter's management is accused of seeking to “impose” a settlement in the form of one-off payments to staff and a 3% pay rise, while refusing to return to the negotiating table.
Union officials have branded the housing and homelessness charity as “arrogant and high-handed” in its dealings with staff. For its part, Shelter says that it is doing the best it can in these difficult times.
Even so, Unite says the pay increases management is offering are “unacceptably low” and “fail to take into account rampant inflation”.
As of October, according to the Office for National Statistics, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) stands at 11.1%, while the Retail Prices Index (RPI) measures inflation at 14.2%.
In a measure of their discontent, the strike ballot saw 85% of its members – who are employed by Shelter across the UK – vote in favour of industrial action.
They join the ranks of workers from across various sectors taking action this year: rail workers, Royal Mail postal staff, teachers, university lecturers and support staff, nurses, even barristers; taking action not just over pay and conditions, but often citing concern at the parlous state of so many public services.
“Strike action will inevitably cause substantial disruption to the services that Shelter provides,” said Unite's regional officer, Peter Storey. “However, the organisation has created this dispute through the arrogant and high-handed manner in which it has treated its loyal workers.”
Some may feel queasy at the prospect of charity workers taking strike action; they work on behalf of people in often vulnerable and precarious circumstances, after all. However, those taking action would point out that they, too, have rent and bills to pay, as well as mouths to feed.
As one staff member quoted by the union says: “The work we undertake, particularly in frontline services, is so valuable and clients depend on our teams. But that shouldn't mean they have to sacrifice a decent and dignified living because the work they are drawn to is in this sector.
“At the very base level, absolute bare minimum, those working for a housing charity shouldn't be experiencing housing insecurity as a result of being unable to pay rent.”
Another said: “I really care about the work and I think it's recognised that I work hard – but I don't feel right now my employer cares about me.
“I'm a single parent. I'm now in overdraft every month, I go around switching my lights off, I have turned my boiler down, I get stressed when the kids' school wants me to pay for another school trip. The best acknowledgement my employer can give me for all my hard work is decent pay.”
Shelter can afford to make its staff a better offer, Unite believes; citing figures from the charity's most recent annual report to bolster it claims for a “fair” deal.
Like many charities and private businesses, Covid-19 had a “significant impact” on Shelter's finances in 2020/21, due to lost income from shop closures. But as that year's annual report adds: “Despite this, financial performance has been strong, due to careful cost control alongside high donations.”
Thanks to this, during that financial year, the charity generated an operating surplus (or profit, if you prefer) of £1.31 million, that's £860,000 higher than the previous year.
But it's Shelter's financial reserves that Unite singles out for its claims.
In 2020/21 these amounted to around £14.6 million; much higher than that year's target level of £10.5 million, and more so than the £8.9 million reserves target set for 2021/22. Although year-on-year the report said the charity's reserves had fallen by around £850,000.
“Shelter’s workers are absolutely dedicated to the organisation but they have been forced to take strike action as management refused to listen and understand their financial plight,” said Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham.
“Rather than sit on ever-expanding reserves, Shelter should be paying its workers a fair pay rise. Unite does what it says on the trade union tin and always prioritises the jobs, pay and conditions of its members. The workers at Shelter will receive the union’s unstinting support.”
Responding, Shelter's director of finance and strategy enablement, Tim Gutteridge said industrial action is “not the outcome we wanted” but added “we fully respect people's right to strike.”
“Some of our services and shops will be impacted when industrial action takes place,” he said, “but we will make every effort during this very busy time of year to continue to serve those most in need of our help.
“Regrettably the cost-of-living crisis is impacting both our colleagues and operational costs, and we are doing what we can to navigate these challenging economic times.”
As Gutteridge explained, Shelter has given all staff a 3% “consolidated” pay increase, along with a one-off payment of £1,500. This means, he says, “non-management” are receiving increases this year of between 8% and 12.3%.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the charity is a Real Living Wage employer; it will apply the Living Wage Foundation's 10.1% adjustment earlier than required, too, so that staff receiving it will benefit sooner.
“Our ambition remains trying to support colleagues through this difficult period, while being able to deliver our frontline services and campaign work as the housing emergency worsens,” Gutteridge said.
MC