Post by nickd on Oct 1, 2011 8:37:40 GMT 1
Centrepoint - a leading 'iconic' charity for the young, becomes less of a focal point for proper funds as cuts bite.
The homelessness charity staff are now threatening to strike
It's a sign of the times when good charities such as Centrepoint in London even has to contemplate strike action. The unions are blaming the bosses, the bosses are blaming the unions; but regardless of where the blame may be - isn't it sad that an iconic charity such as Centrepoint is clearly falling victim to government cuts?
Government cuts - we are told are necessary - to pave the way to better economic prosperity for tomorrow's generations. This is today's young generation of 16 - 25 year olds and government cuts are cutting Centrepoint's ability to continue to provide them with hope; - this isn't how it should be.
Will the Prince be able to step in?
"A trade union plans to ask the Duke of Cambridge for cash to prevent pay and job cuts at a homelessness charity he supports."
Even with its Royal seal of approval, it seems Centrepoint won't be able to continue to provide the youths it helps with the same level of support, the unions plan to ask for some help from the charities patron.
An article written on the 12th August 2011 in 'Inside Housing' says Trade union Unite, which represents 1.5 million workers, is considering approaching Prince William, who has been patron of Centrepoint since 2005, and the charity’s other heavyweight backers, such as law firm Forsters.
A later article shows an escalating storm over how the developing situation is being reported.
30 September 2011 | By Rhiannon Bury
"Centrepoint, which supports young people aged 16-25 who become homeless, has been forced to reduce the salaries of 112 of its London staff by up to 10 per cent after losing a third of its contracts between October 2010 and April 2011.
Union Unite’s members voted by 70 per cent to 30 per cent for strike action at the charity and will meet on Monday to decide strike dates.
Matt Smith, regional officer at Unite, said: ‘We hope the board will intervene and bring this iconic charity back from the brink of disaster.
‘We need to prevent this charity from carrying out the cruelest of ironies - cutting our members’ pay by so much it could potentially force them to join the very homeless that they do so much to help.’
The charity, whose patron is Prince William, has said Unite has failed to produce any counter proposals for the planned organisational restructure.
Seyi Obakin, chief executive of Centrepoint, said: ‘Unite has failed to engage with us throughout the process, resulting in a failure to represent the best interests of its members.
‘The union chooses to use out-of-date accounts information to suit its argument and inflated claims of strike support, which just shows how driven it is to damage Centrepoint’s reputation. In fact, only 12 per cent of Centrepoint staff have indicated their intention to strike.’"
The inescapable facts are that whatever the reason for strike action, Centrepoint is at the heart of helping people which government should be prioritising when it comes to giving the young of today some hope for the future; - today, the priority must be to ensure they have a roof over their heads
Links
First article
www.insidehousing.co.uk/regulation/unite-calls-on-duke-to-save-centrepoint-staff/6517186.article#comments
Second
www.insidehousing.co.uk/care/homelessness-charity-staff-threaten-to-strike/6518127.article#.ToYy9e82d98.twitter