Unite call on St Mungo’s to stop ‘peddling untruths’

On strike since April 22nd

Unite has written to St Mungos Chief Executive Steve Douglas today to ask him to stop his organization from “peddling untruths” to the media about the fact that St Mungos maintenance team have been on indefinite strike since April 22nd.  

Strike protest at St Mungo's Broadway

For example, when ‘Third Sector’ headlined the eighth week of the strike action over bullying and union victimization, St Mungos is quoted as being “disappointed the dispute has not yet been resolved and is committed to finding a solution.” 

No evidence of commitment to find solution

Unite’s Regional officer Steve O’Donnel says there is no evidence that St Mungo’s is either disappointed or committed to finding a solution! He explains, 

In the eight weeks our members have been on strike not once has CEO Steve Douglas or anyone else in St Mungo’s leadership team reached out to a Unite representative to enter into a discussion regarding solutions. All contact between us has been initiated by myself. 

I am amazed that Steve Douglas can be satisfied that a bullying culture does not exist in his organisation when 68% of respondents to a Unite survey reported experiences of bullying by senior managers. 

My advices to St Mungo's is to try reaching out and engaging with us and have a serious, open and honest conversation about what’s happened in Property Services, about how the investigations have been carried out and by re-instating our suspnded rep until everything has been reviewed independently.

No understanding

St Mungo’s management claim that allegations of bullying are not ‘collective’ issues and use this as an excuse not to engage with the union.  Unite is clear that this shows a complete lack of understanding of how to deal with serious staff concerns about bullying on the part of senior managers. This is a particularly grave matter in an organisation working with vulnerable client groups. 

In an Orwellian move one Unite rep is currently suspended on a gross misconduct charge which could apparently lead to dismissal for raising a grievance about bullying. St Mungo’s is currently rejecting Unite's call for an independent investigation.  

Unite has commented in the past that St Mungo's board appears to be asleep at the wheel and failing to get a grip on long running problems in the organisation, there is no here of a positive change.

Pickets and strike events are listed here

To support the strikers see their ‘just giving’ page here or email

Paul Kershaw, Chair Unite housing workers LE1111 branch

June 15th 2021