St Mungo’s and workers’ union Unite have failed to resolve a pay dispute at the charity, with protesting workers taking part in a ninth week of strike action.
The latest round of talks came as the charity faces being blocked from recruiting agency staff to cover striking workers in the coming weeks.
On Monday, the charity met Unite’s representatives to discuss the ongoing strike action, and “unfortunately, there was no resolution from our meeting”.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “To be in week nine of an indefinite strike in a charity is extremely sad. We recognise the very real pressures the cost-of-living crisis is having on our colleagues and have tried everything to resolve the dispute.
“Our most recent offer would have meant 90% of colleagues receiving a pay increase of 7-14%, when added to this year’s proposed annual pay rise.
“Unite refuses to accept the charity’s financial position and continues to ask for something which is unaffordable, despite us sharing our financial statements.
“It would be reckless to commit money we don’t have and would have major repercussions for our colleagues and the services we run in the future.
“We are doing everything we can to work with Unite to end this unprecedented period of strike action and focus on supporting people experiencing homelessness, at a time when demand for our services is increasing.
Unite has yet to comment on the latest round of negotiations.
Agency staff
Last week, Unite said it had “written to warn councils using St Mungo’s homelessness services” following a recent High Court ruling.
From 10 August, employers will be barred from recruiting agency staff to undermine legal strike action.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The only way to resolve this strike is to enter into real negotiations. Irresponsibly dragging out this dispute past the 10 August will plunge the charity into a crisis. Unite stands ready to thrash out a deal if bosses at St Mungo’s are ready.”
Unite regional officer Steve O’Donnell said: “St Mungo’s has been using agency staff to try to undermine our strike but it hasn’t worked. All it has done is drag out the dispute and contribute to a toxic culture. Bosses have been doing workers and the people who rely on the charity a great disservice. Management needs to realise that our members are standing firm so it’s time to negotiate.”
In response, a St Mungo’s spokesperson said: “We recognise the change in law regarding the use of agency staff to cover workers on strike. We have alternative staffing options, not affected by this change, which we are putting in place to ensure we can continue to support our clients when it comes into force. We will be testing our adapted plans in the coming weeks to make sure they are robust.
“We are doing everything we can to work with Unite, so together we can end this dispute at a time when the demand for our services is increasing. We need to ensure that the charity is sustainable, so that we can continue to deliver services to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”
St Mungo’s said that Unite’s asks were “simply unaffordable for the charity”.
They added: “It is disappointing that they do not recognise the constraints we face, despite us sharing our financial statements with our unions and with colleagues.”
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