Strikes off as Shelter returns to negotiations

Finance | Gareth Jones | 18 Mar 2008

Strikes planned for Wednesday and Thursday this week at the homelessness charity Shelter have been called off after charity bosses and union officials agreed to resume negotiations.

The Shelter Joint Negotiating Committee, which represents both parties, today released a statement confirming that a meeting was held on Monday that was “positive and constructive”.

As a result, further talks took place today with the mediation service ACAS, while Shelter has suspended all meetings with staff and notifications of dismissal until further notice.

When contacted by Charity News Alert, the charity was remaining tight-lipped on any other details while discussions were ongoing.

Unions are unhappy at the prospect of revised pay scales and increased working hours. Staff had been told to sign revised contracts or face redundancy.

Shelter bosses say the changes are essential in order to compete for government contracts.

These talks represent the first indication that a compromise might be reached since union members voted to reject the proposals on offer in January.

Since then Shelter had seemed determined to see the changes through, enduring two strikes (pictured) and criticism from film-maker Ken Loach, who urged donors to withdraw their support for the charity.

Who's Who: Gareth Jones

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