Lewisham councillors are expected to join workers at a homeless charity striking over plans to scrap a cap on junior staffing. 

Members of union Unite at St Mungo’s are walking out from Monday, March 16 to Wednesday, March 18. 

The union fears services to vulnerable clients will be affected because more experienced staff on higher wages could be pushed out and replaced by lower-paid junior staff. 

Members are also striking against sickness policies.  

Lewisham Councillor Alan Hall, among those heading to the picket line outside St Mungo’s assessment centre in New Cross on Tuesday, said he is supporting the strikes “because staff are standing up and being counted”.  

“They work on the frontline of the housing crisis and they deserve not be bullied into accepting worse working terms and conditions,” he said.  

St Mungo’s CEO Howard Sinclair called for the strike to be called off amid the Coronavirus outbreak but Unite said that it will follow government guidance and “not be bullied”. 

Unite regional officer Tabusam Ahmed said: “St Mungo’s workers have tried their utmost to arrive at a reasonable settlement with their employer and have been rejected at every turn.  

“For our members the safety of their clients is their number one priority and they will take strike action with very heavy hearts, but believe it is the only way to defend the future of St Mungo’s services. 

“It is time for Mr Sinclair to stop blaming staff for his leadership mistakes and take responsibility for the breakdown in industrial relations.   

“We were willing to compromise, he was not. 

“We have warned that the attacks on jobs, the reinstatement of ‘race to the bottom’ conditions and discriminatory disciplinary procedures are putting a severe strain on staff and the services they deliver to homeless people. 

“We appeal to Mr Sinclair and the board to rethink their approach, as the charity cannot function as it should do and serve those who need it, while relationships between staff and employers are stretched to breaking point.” 

A St Mungo’s spokesperson said: “St Mungo’s major challenge is pandemic planning and all our resources should be focused on this.  

“This is what our clients, staff and communities expect.   

“Unite officials have chosen to push ahead with their strike this week.  

“We asked Unite to postpone their action, with no preconditions, which they have so far refused to do.  

“This is really not the week to go out on strike and we ask Unite officials again to postpone during this unprecedented time.  

“Our services have run as we expected today and we were able to provide staffing in line with our contingency plans.  

“The safety and security of our clients remains our number one priority.”