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WORKERS at a domestic abuse charity in London have declared victory after successfully fighting proposed redundancies.
The cuts at Solace Women’s Aid in Tower Hamlets were initially announced in January.
According to United Voices of the World (UVW) union, which represents workers at the charity, the cuts would have seen the staff working as independent domestic violence advisers slashed by a third.
But now Tower Hamlets Council has confirmed extra funding, UVW says, safeguarding the vital roles.
The victory follows a high-profile campaign supported by the local community, MPs and a town hall rally attended by hundreds.
UVW members had voted to take indefinite strike action, which would have been the first in the history of any domestic abuse charity.
UVW assistant general secretary Isabel Cortes said: “This is one the most significant and inspiring wins for workers from the violence against women and girl’s charity sector for a generation.
“The workers had to vote to take indefinite strike action to win this fight — and overcome significant union-busting tactics from Solace too.
“But our amazing members stood firm and proved once again that when organised workers and communities come together, we can stop cuts and protect the services we all rely on, services which must be properly and publicly funded.”
Adviser Karina Cuji, a UVW member, said: “Once again it has been proven that the breakthroughs leading to great victories come from those on the front lines — those who work tirelessly, day in and day out.”
A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council, said: “Solace has confirmed it will end its redundancy process. While Solace is an independent organisation and the Council does not have authority over Solace's internal structures and staffing, the office of the Mayor of Tower Hamlets and Council officers intervened to ensure the redundancy process did not go ahead.
"Our priority is to ensure the most effective service for our residents to make sure that anyone affected by domestic abuse receives the support they need, without disruption. We continue to work with partners across the borough to proactively tackle, and work to eliminate, the evil of domestic abuse.”
