Housing charity staff balloting for strike action

THE staff at a housing charity with a base in Newcastle are balloting for strikes over pay and working conditions. Around 550 Unite members who work at UK charity Shelter are involved in the dispute, according to the union.

- By OWEN YOUNGER Reporter

This comes after members were offered a 'below inflation' 1.5% pay rise, with the union saying that Shelter's management has refused to negotiate when it comes to pay, the organisation being in what it calls 'a very health financial position'.

The latest financial report from the housing and homelessness charity, founded in 1966, showed income totalling £81.33m in 2023/24. This comes out at £7.67m, or 10%, higher than the previous year due to a significant increase in donations.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "It is completely unacceptable for an antipoverty charity such as Shelter imposing such an unfair deal on its staff, especially the lowest paid, when it is in a very healthy financial position.