Mental health charity staff to strike over pay

Staff working for mental health charity Second Step will take strike action from next week in a dispute over pay, says UNISON today (Thursday).

More than 100 workers will walk out for four days at workplaces across Bristol, Somerset, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire.

Almost four in five employees (78%) who took part in the ballot backed strike action, which takes place on Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14, Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 January. They include support workers, recovery specialists and central staff.

Second Step delivers local authority and NHS-funded mental health services. Employees have seen the value of their wages fall each year because the charity has failed to award increases in line with inflation, meaning staff are unable to keep up with the cost of living, says the union.

The situation has been made worse by the charity’s refusal to negotiate pay with the union despite the fact that UNISON is the largest trade union.

New UNISON South West regional secretary Tim Roberts said: “Workers want to focus on supporting people experiencing mental health difficulties, not worrying about how they will pay their bills.

“Staff are suffering financial hardship because their pay has failed to keep pace with rising costs. Second Step still has time to resolve this dispute by coming forward with a fair offer and recognising the union.”

Second Step recovery worker Dan King said: “Second Step’s response to this dispute is out of touch with the reality facing low-paid workers. Rents, energy bills and grocery costs continue to rise.

“Staff shouldn’t need to resort to strike action to make management listen. The charity must drop its delaying tactics and bring a serious offer to the table.”

Picket line locations