The move follows the breakdown of eight months of pay negotiations by unions Unison and Unite on behalf of Action for Children employees, and comes against rising inflation.
Another key reason for the strike is the charity’s proposed changes to staff terms and conditions, including changes to the redundancy policy, such as reducing the period of protected pay, following the deployment of a lower paid job, from two years to under a year.
Last year, Action for Children also did away with its staff defined benefit pension scheme - a scheme which guarantees staff a set monthly pension on retirement – replacing it with a defined contribution scheme.
Mike Robinson, Unite’s national officer for children’s charities said, ‘Action for Children staff do an amazing and extremely difficult job. They are essential to supporting vulnerable children and their families.
‘Despite their significant contribution to the Big Society, their pay is low, compared with the average support worker, with many earning on average £20,000 a year, and many domestic and admin staff on between £11,000-£18,000. Their pay is not keeping pace with inflation and that’s putting our members into further financial hardship.’
Richard Cove, executive director of human resources at Action for Children, said, ‘Action for Children has met with union partners over a number of key issues, including pay. In common with all charities at this time, we are currently operating in a very difficult economic climate and need to be realistic about the challenges we face. Our priority is to continue to deliver services for the most vulnerable children and young people we work with.
‘We have been regularly meeting with union partners to try and reach a suitable solution for all parties. Whilst it is regrettable that they have felt it necessary to ballot for strike action at this difficult time, we remain committed to actively negotiating to reach the best possible outcome. We greatly value the dedication and commitment of all out staff, and will continue to do all we can to support them throughout this period.’
Unison’s ballot for strike action closes in mid-October and Unite’s at the beginning of November.
