Croydon council housing department takes strike action against planned cuts

Croydon council’s housing and homelessness department have gone on strike against cuts to their service.

The bankrupt council are pushing through a restructure which the members believe will threaten the department’s ability to remain legally compliant.

GMB union members on strike demonstrated today outside the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities offices in Marsham Street, Westminster.

Helen O’Connor, GMB Regional Organiser, said: “Our members are determined to protect the services they deliver to the people of Croydon.

“If the council don’t meet their demands this dispute is likely to escalate further and the longer the dispute goes on it has the potential to spread right across the council to other departments as well.

“Our members have been in dispute for a number of weeks and have taken four days of industrial action already.

“All the concerns raised by staff who have decades of experience are being totally ignored by the senior management team, some of whom have been at the council for less than 18 months.

“GMB members will now be taking the message to Westminster to see if central government will listen to their concerns.”

Croydon council said: “Croydon council is transforming its housing service to provide the most efficient service for some of our most vulnerable residents, whilst also making our council financially sustainable for the future.

“We need to make changes to make sure that we can help people at risk of homelessness as early as possible, also to make it quicker and easier for all residents to get in touch and get an appointment when they need us.

“We appreciate the valuable role that our staff play in delivering these essential services for residents and – as part of a full, staff consultation process.

“We have listened to their concerns and made changes to the proposals, so the regional decision for industrial action is disappointing. We are committed to continuing talks with Croydon GMB and employee representatives.

“The council has ensured there has been no disruption to the service for residents during the industrial action.”

Pictured top: Croydon housing department workers on strike (Picture: GMB union)