St Mungo’s strikers won’t let bosses win

Protesting at St Mungo’s headquarters last week over allegations of bullying (Picture: Alan Kenny)

St Mungo’s homelessness charity workers are staying strong on all-out strike in London, Oxford, Brighton, Bristol and Bournemouth.

The dispute was set to end after Tuesday of this week. But the strikers voted the week before last to stay out until bosses offer them a decent pay rise for last year, as well as a better offer for this year.

After announcing the decision to escalate to all-out action management met with Unite union reps, but bosses made no new offer.

A second meeting last Tuesday ended with CEO Emma Haddad storming out.

Reps wrote to members, “We considered the possibility Emma would come to the meeting unwilling to negotiate. Unfortunately, we were proven right as senior management failed to bring a new offer.

“What we did not anticipate was that Emma would think it was appropriate to use intimidating behaviour against junior staff by shouting at and using offensive language towards our Unite convenors.

“Sadly, the other senior managers who were present—including the director of HR who is responsible for setting standards of conduct in the organisation—did not openly challenge this behaviour.”

The reps added, “We should not be expected to tolerate being shouted at and told we are ‘speaking absolute crap’ by the CEO. Let us be clear—this is bullying under our dignity at work policy, it is wrong and completely unacceptable.

“Senior managers shouting at and belittling junior colleagues might be tolerated in the Home Office, but we will not allow it to be the culture at St Mungo’s.”

An emergency No To Bullying protest was held the next day outside the headquarters in Thomas More Square. Strikers are continuing to hold lively and exciting pickets, as well as protests outside trustees’ offices.

There was also a teach-out last Monday, “What happened at Cable Street in 1936¸and what is its relevance today?”

And to mark the start of their official all-out strike, the strikers also held a Carnival of Resistance on Tuesday outside the headquarters.

The St Mungo’s workers are determined to make as much noise and draw as much attention to their dispute until their demands are met.

• To support the crowdfunder for the strike go here
• For rallies and events go here

Round-up: action from Amazon to Welsh slate

Amazon workers in Coventry are set to strike at the company’s Coventry fulfilment centre.

Workers will walk out on Tuesday 11, Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 July—during one of Amazon’s busiest weeks of the year.  Almost 900 workers are anticipated to join the strike and will bring the total strike days at the retail giant to 22.

• Engineering and maintenance workers in St Helen’s employed by NGF, which produces glass cords used in rubber and plastic products, are set to strike.

The Unite union members rejected a 5.65 percent pay rise plus £800 bonus. This is lower than offers received by colleagues at nearby sites.

Workers planned 48-hour strikes on Sunday of this week and 14 July along with members of the GMB union.

• The Unite union has called off strikes at Heathrow airport after workers accepted a new offer. Over 2,000 security officers at Terminals Three and Five were set to take 31 days of action this summer.

The deal means an increase of 15.5 and 17.5 percent depending on pay banding over two years.

• Workers at Glasgow Airport employed by OCS Group UK Limited have voted by 95 percent to strike on a 91 percent turnout.

The 70 Unite union members rejected a poverty pay offer to take pay up to £10.60 an hour.

Now 24 hours stoppages will begin from Thursday of next week.

• Workers at A.G. Barr’s production and distribution factory in Cumbernauld are voting on whether to strike.

The dozen trucker and shunter drivers in Unite union, rejected a 5 percent pay offer. A.G. Barr makes the famous Irn-Bru drink.

• GXO delivery drivers and warehouse operatives in London and south east England are voting on strikes. The 120 Unite union members at the Croydon depot are angry over excessive disciplinary issues.
• Workers at Welsh Slate Breedons have voted to reject a 6 percent pay offer by 92 percent. The 150 Unite union members are now voting on whether to strike.

The workers at quarries in Cwt Y Bugail and Penrhyn Quarry in north Wales will vote until 13 July.

• Unite union members employed at the Emirates Arena by Glasgow Life and City Parking are voting on strikes.