
Fighting for a Corona Bonus
Since the Corona virus epidemic, Housing workers have shown how essential they are to the health and well-being of society. Their role has been to ensure that even the most vulnerable of street homeless are provided with shelter and support, and are able to socially distance in a safe environment.
This is the case whether staff are working directly with clients and tenants, sometimes face-to-face like support workers, cleaners, and maintenance staff, and sometimes working from homes or offices providing essential corporate functions. All have played a role.
Our members have accepted major disruption to their personal and working lives, changes in duties and working times, and in some cases placing their own health at risk. They have used their own cars or bikes to avoid a crowded commute on public transport, and juggled work with their own caring responsibilities after schools were locked down.
Now is the time for employers to recognise our efforts with a ‘Corona bonus’.
We have set out a template letter that can be adapted and sent to your executive in agreement with members in your workplace to call for the bonus.
Several other companies have already agreed to bonuses for their staff, and the vast majority of housing associations can afford them. They have continued to charge rents and service charges throughout the lockdown, and indeed in some cases have increased these.
Other Companies are Paying
One of the most high profile bonuses has been agreed at supermarket chain Morrisons (see here). It shows that funds can – and should - be found.
If you would like assistance with campaigning for a Corona Bonus, please contact the branch or regional office to discuss it.
Unite London & Eastern Office, 33-37 Moreland Street, London, EC1V 8BB / 020 8800 4281
Unite Housing Workers Branch, PO Box 6607, London E11 9FB / 0796 885 2255
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Template Letter: Corona Bonus Request
To the Executive of [Employer]
Unite members at [employer] have agreed to request a ‘Corona bonus’ of £[Amount] in recognition of the unprecedented challenges we have faced in continuing to deliver on our aims despite the severe disruption to our personal and working lives.
All staff have been involved in the continued successful operation of our business, and this bonus should therefore be offered to all, including locum staff. It is affordable and would recognise the commitment we have made over the last four months. It would also compensate those who have used their own vehicles to travel to work, and their own homes as workspaces in order to comply with government’s social distancing requirements.
Our next members’ meeting is on [date] and we would appreciate a response before then in order to discuss it when we next meet.
Yours sincerely