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Workers at small London housing association to strike
Staff at a small housing association in Hackney are set to strike next week in an ongoing dispute over pay.
Twenty-five workers at 188-home Peter Bedford Housing Association, whose chief executive is chair of the G320 group of small London housing associations, will go on strike for five days next week.
The strike, which was approved by a unanimous vote of Unite members at Peter Bedford on a 96% turnout, is set to take place from 3 December to 7 December.
According to trade union Unite Housing Workers, Peter Bedford has failed to implement a pay deal agreed last year, under which staff would be paid in line with local government pay rates.
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In April, workers in local government saw their pay increase by 2% but, Unite said, Peter Bedford did not increase its staff’s salary by this amount.
The union also said that until that agreement last year, workers had not seen their pay rise for five years.
The housing association disputes this interpretation however, claiming a rise of 4.6% was paid last year and a further increase of 2% this year.
Clare Norton, chief executive of Peter Bedford, told Inside Housing: “Last year, we were able to award our colleagues with a 4.6% salary increase and this year saw a further increase of 2%.
“As a small charitable local housing association, we have limited resources and are seeing our income fall year on year. Therefore, it is critical that we reach an agreement which takes account of affordability and sustainability so we can continue to support our tenants.”
Ms Norton said management has made an offer on pay but has not yet reached an agreement with staff.
Adam Lambert, regional officer for Unite, said: “Our members are taking strike action as an absolute last resort. The work they do is of profound importance to the residents that they assist on a daily basis, and all they ask is that agreements regarding their pay are honoured.
“This strike is entirely of the management at Peter Bedford’s making. If the management of Peter Bedford is serious about avoiding strike action, then it must implement the promised pay increase and back date it from April.”
