More determined than ever

Livv Housing workers are more determined in their fight than ever as their long-running dispute continues.

Workers, who have been taking discontinuous industrial action since October after years of real-terms pay cuts, received a big morale boost this week when Unite general secretary Sharon Graham visited the picket line (pictured below) on Tuesday (April 29).

Her visit comes as the CEO of social housing provider Livv Housing, Léann Hearne, announced she would be stepping down from her role, after more than 8 years in post, to reportedly spend more time with her family.

Hearne was at the helm of a dispute in which multiple union-busting tactics have been used. In one example, management has drafted in contractors to break the strike. In another instance, Hearne wrote to workers offering a five per cent pay rise as long as they confirmed they were non-union members, to encourage them to cross the picket line.

On the picket line

Sharon said during her visit that she had come to stand with the workers who “are fighting for decent pay and conditions”.

“This employer has done absolutely nothing to resolve this dispute,” Sharon explained on the picket line. “We are saying to this employer that we are backing these workers 100 per cent, and if you do not come to the negotiating table, we are going to escalate this dispute so that these workers win what is rightfully theirs.”

Sharon speaking with striking workers

Commenting on the news that the CEO will be stepping down, Sharon added, “There is now an opportunity, because of the way she has dealt with this dispute, to back your employees, to back these workers and give them what they deserve in terms of pay.”

 In the most recent period of industrial action, Livv Housing workers are now taking 11 days of strike action in April and May. The dates include April 29, and May 1, 7, 9, 13, 15, 19, 21, 24. An overtime ban is also in effect from April 22 until May 26.

The dispute centres around the failure of Livv Housing, a social housing provider, to pay workers fairly after years of real-terms pay cuts.

Workers rejected a five per cent pay offer on these grounds, against a backdrop in which the company has reported reserves of £110.6m in March 2024. Livv Housing made a ‘profit’ of over £40,000 per employee last year and most recently the CEO was offered a £30,000 pay rise.

Unite rep addressing picket line

In another development in the Livv Housing dispute, Unite has launched a hotline for Livv Housing tenants to report issues. The tenants, who are based in Knowsley, Merseyside can register their concerns with Unite by calling 07586982889, scanning a QR code on a leaflet or emailing [email protected].

Residents of the social housing firm have previously complained of issues with the quality of repairs and responses to complaints, as well as long delays in fixing reported issues – and now Unite is offering them a forum to get in touch.

Unite continues to press management to come to the negotiating table.

Unite regional officer John Sheppard (pictured above) said, “Livv Housing is an extraordinary wealthy organisation which can fully afford to pay its workers a fair pay increase but it is cynically refusing to do so.

“Workers are taking strike action as a last resort, due to Livv’s refusal to negotiate a fair pay deal. We know this will impact on repairs and maintenance, but Livv’s management is solely responsible due to their failure to engage.”

By Hajera Blagg

Photos by Mark Thomas