Branch Secretary : info@housingworkers.org.uk
  

Unite HCA Pay Strike - Solidarity Appeal Launched

Unite at the HCA has announced that it will be taking strike action on Thursday 19th May and has launched an appeal for solidarity.

 

The dispute has arisen because the Agency ignored the union pay claim submitted in June 2015 and refused to negotiate for eight months, choosing instead to design its own pay settlement which it is threatening to impose. The unions claim that the pay settlement breaches the provisions in some staff contracts and the union recognition agreements, as does the refusal to negotiate or to seek conciliation through ACAS.

 

Unite members balloted 57% in favour of strike action and will shortly confirm their strike days. See the previous news items here for further details. 

 

Strike Pay Appeal: 

 

The first strike date has been agreed for Thursday 19th May, with at least two more days proposed on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th June.  We are therefore urgently appealing for donations to our strike fund to assist those on strike and minimise hardship. You can contribute as follows:

 

By cheque made out to “Unite Housing Workers Branch LE111”, sent to PO Box 66701, London E11 9FB.

By BACS to account name Unite Housing Workers LE/1111 Branch, account number 20040626, Sort Code 60­83­01.

 

Picket Line Support: 

 

Please also join us on our picket lines on Thursday 19th May if at all possible. These will be held between 8am and11am as follows:

 

London: Home Office building, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF – nearest tubes: Westminster, Victoria, Pimlico

Manchester: City Tower, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester  M1 4BT

 

 

Messages of Protest: 

 

Our members are fighting against an intransigent management who want to freeze out the unions and disregard the provisions of our contracts and Recognition Agreement – but we will fight on until they agree to change their approach. A show of strength from other Unite members and other trade unions would be a huge boost to our members.

 

 

Please voice your concerns to Chief Executive Mark Hodgkinson (mark.hodgkinson@hca.gsi.gov.uk) and Chair of our Board Kevin Parry (kevin.parry@hca.gsi.gov.uk), along the lines of the following:

 

 

“Dear Kevin and Mark, I have been appalled to hear about the treatment of staff that the HCA. As the Social Housing Regulator and government’s chosen housing, land and regeneration agency, the HCA should be setting an example of good practice across the sector. I would have expected the Agency to honour the contractual rights of staff. It should be working with the unions to agree a fair pay settlement within the constraints of the government spending remit, and should abide by the mutually agreed terms of the Recognition Agreement. Instead, it has behaved in shameful manner toward the very people it needs to deliver on a challenging and intense programme against the backdrop of unprecedented change within the sector. I would urge the HCA’s leadership to take stock, rethink their approach, and engage with the trade unions to reach a mutually satisfactory settlement of the pay dispute.”

 

 

Messages of Support: 

 

These can be sent to suzanne.muna_union@hca.gsi.gov.uk and will be relayed to Unite members at the HCA.

 

 

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Communities and Local Government. It manages the government's investment in social housing, and also has some land-related functions, making land and premises available to businesses. It also regulates social housing providers in England. 

 

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