St Mungo's CEO slammed for weaponising coronavirus
St Mungo’s boss warned to ‘stop blaming staff for leadership mistakes’ as workers set to strike
Reading time: 4 min
The strike from 00:01 Monday (16 March) to 23:59 Wednesday (18 March) comes after St Mungo’s senior management team rejected a sensible, middle ground solution to the ‘race to the bottom’ jobs row.
Unite has been locked in a bitter industrial dispute with the charity for over a year, over a number of issues, including a punitive sickness policy and changes it made to the junior staffing cap, which workers fear opens the door to a cheaper workforce on worse pay and terms and conditions. Safety would also be undermined.
In a message from the charity’s frontline staff to their vulnerable ‘clients’, Unite members said, “Your safety is our priority, which is why we feel so strongly about standing up to defend the services we deliver to you.”
In response to the CEO’s calls for the strike to be suspended because of the coronavirus outbreak, Unite has said that it will follow government guidance and not be bullied by Mr Sinclair.
Unite regional officer, Tabusam Ahmed said, “St Mungo’s workers have tried their utmost to arrive at a reasonable settlement with their employer and have been rejected at every turn.
“For our members the safety of their clients is their number one priority and they will take strike action with very heavy hearts. But believe it is the only way to defend the future of St Mungo’s services,” she added.
“It is time for Mr Sinclair to stop blaming staff for his leadership mistakes and take responsibility for the breakdown in industrial relations. We were willing to compromise, he was not.
“We have warned that the attacks on jobs, the reinstatement of ‘race to the bottom’ conditions and discriminatory disciplinary procedures are putting a severe strain on staff and the services they deliver to homeless people.
“We appeal to Mr Sinclair and the board to rethink their approach, as the charity cannot function as it should do and serve those who need it, while relationships between staff and employers are stretched to breaking point.”
TAKE ACTION
Please support the workers. Read more about why they’re striking from first-hand accounts here and here. Join a picket line or come along to one of the rallies near you. Find out more here.
Tweet your messages of solidarity @StMungos #StMungosStrike. Your support matters.
