UNISON members at the Family Mosaic Housing Association have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a formal ballot for strike action. The consultative ballot result comes shortly after Family Mosaic’s senior management issued letters of dismissal to all staff members who have not signed new contracts agreeing to substantial cuts in pay and an increase in working hours.
To date, the association has refused to change its current drastic proposals and shown little regard for the significant impact the proposed pay reductions will have on staff and their families.
London UNISON regional organiser Colin Inniss said: “The pain of these pay cuts and increased working hours will only be experienced by front-line staff – senior management have exempted themselves and protected their pay from any reductions.
“All care and support and general housing staff will be contemplating a difficult 2012, while for senior management it will be a case of business at usual – a point which highlights the opportunistic nature of their proposals.
“This is something which should worry Family Mosaic’s service users,” added Mr Innes. “Imposing harsh changes demoralises a workforce and cannot but affect the quality of service delivery.
“While UNISON remains committed to achieving negotiated change, management’s intransigence has left us with no alternatives other than to conduct a formal ballot for strike action and to pursue legal action.”
The ballot will involve all UNISON members employed by Family Mosaic in both London and Essex.
Family Mosaic owns and manages 23,000 properties across, 27 London boroughs and in Essex. It has a significant ‘supported housing’ business providing nursing, care and support services to around 4,000 people.
The organisation’s operating surplus rose from 19% in 2009/10 to 26% in 2010/11. The group’s net surplus increase to £34m in 2010/11 – a rise of 4% on the previous year.
In 2010/11, Family Mosaic chief executive Brendan Sarsfield saw his annual salary increased from £165,000 to £172,000.
