Ken Loach joins union pickets at Shelter in Manchester

1 May 2008

Members of Unite, the UK’s largest trade union, were today joined on the picket line by Ken Loach, the UK’s most famous independent film maker.

The workers at Shelter Manchester have carried out a series of stoppages since February in protest against management plans to scrap their pay and grading structure and force them to sign new employment contracts.

Unite National Secretary, Doug Nicholls, said: "Increasing public concern at the treatment of workers in Shelter has led not just to Early Day motions in Westminster and the Scottish Executive but a number of MPs are now planning to organise significant adjournment debates on the issue.

"It is with some disbelief that public bodies and politicians from all parties are registering the fact that an important organisation within the overall campaign for social justice is treating its own staff so shabbily."

Ken Loach added: "I am shocked and saddened about what is happening at Shelter, and how hardworking and dedicated employees are being treated. At a time when we are heading into an recession, and a rise in homelessness and repossessions is a real risk, charities like Shelter are needed now more than ever to give good quality advice and support to people in housing crisis.

"The direction that this management is trying to force on Shelter can only harm those that Shelter was set up to defend. The constant drive for cheaper labour is the reason some people find themselves with nowhere to live.

"The management must listen to their staff and to those who wish Shelter well and impose no cuts in pay or conditions for Shelter workers. In the face of such opposition from their staff and supporters, I hope very much that they will see sense."

Unite believes that one of the main causes of this dispute is the way the Legal Services Commission (LSC) funds voluntary sector organisations. We believe that the LSC’s strict conditions are causing headaches for charities and having a serious negative impact on skilled workers such as those at Shelter.