The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Homeless charity staff strike over 3% pay rise
Staff at one of the UK’s biggest homeless charities are striking for two weeks as they struggle to afford rent and food.
Shelter Scotland members in Aberdeen joined a national strike yesterday after a real-terms pay cut left them struggling to afford their own housing while trying to help others keep a roof over their heads.
Management at the charity set a 3% pay increase this year, which staff say works out as an 11% cut.
This has left members struggling to afford basic necessities.
Over 600 employees with the homeless charity are striking over the next two weeks in the hope of getting management around the table.
Standing on Crown Street in Aberdeen yesterday, staff based in the city’s office were supported by Unite the Union as they took action.
Jacob Campbell, Unite shop steward at Shelter Scotland, said the reaction from the public so far had been “generally supportive”.
As some shouted their support or honked their horns as they passed, he added: “Everybody knows Shelter is a good charity. It does some really, really amazing work. That’s down to its staff. People recognise the value it has for society and generally they’ve been very, very supportive. They’re behind us.”
Talks with charity’s management collapsed last week after they refused to increase the pay offer for 2022 despite Unite believing they are able to offer fair pay.
As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, many Shelter workers nationally are having to visit foodbanks.
Mr Campbell added: “Some of members have been struggling to pay their rent.
“Some members are scared that they might be made homeless, which, for a housing charity, is obviously not a good thing.”
Shauna Wright, Unite regional officer, said: “Sadly, the members voted that they had to take this action when all else had failed.
“The team in Aberdeen is disappointed because they work for a charity because they want to help people, but when they’re now finding themselves they’re having to ask for help that’s not acceptable.
“They want to be able to give the charity and the people coming to use their service what it needs. However, they need to stand up for their rights as well, as they do for their service users.”
Tim Gutteridge, director of finance and strategy enablement at Shelter, said staff had been given a 3% pay increase and a further one-off payment of £1,500 this year.
Shelter will also be implementing the Real Living Wage Foundation’s increase of 10.1% from December.
He added: “Regrettably, the cost-of-living crisis is impacting both our colleagues and operational costs, and we are doing everything we can to navigate these challenging economic times.
“Our ambition remains trying to support colleagues through this difficult period, while being able to deliver our frontline services and campaign work.”
Strike action will end on Friday December 16. Shelter advised anyone seeking urgent support during this time to visit its website for advice.