Key Points
- Planned strikes at domestic abuse charity Solace Women’s Aid have been called off.
- Strikes were scheduled to begin on 14 February 2025 in Tower Hamlets.
- Job cuts would have reduced the local team by a third.
- Redundancies paused following discussions with workers and the United Voices of the World (UVW) union.
- Solace Women’s Aid remains committed to supporting survivors while seeking a resolution.
- Survivors are urged to continue reaching out for help.
- LGBT+ anti-abuse charity Galop expressed solidarity with Solace staff.
- Galop employees praised the decision to strike as historic in the gender-based violence sector.
- Acknowledged ongoing struggles for job security and better working conditions.
Planned Strikes Halted as Solace Women’s Aid Pauses Redundancy Plans
Why were the strikes at Solace Women’s Aid called off?
London-based staff at Solace Women’s Aid, a domestic abuse charity, have decided to call off planned industrial action after the organisation agreed to pause its proposed redundancies. The strikes, which were set to begin on 14 February 2025, aimed to oppose plans to cut the Tower Hamlets local team by a third.
The decision to pause the redundancy process came after discussions involving the charity’s leadership, its affected employees, and the United Voices of the World (UVW) union.
What did Solace Women’s Aid say about the decision?
In a statement, Solace Women’s Aid said: “During this pause, Solace will continue discussions with all parties to help us resolve the dispute.
“We continue to focus on solutions as this is in the best interests of our survivors and staff.
“Solace remains committed to supporting survivors in Tower Hamlets and across London, and we urge survivors to continue to reach out.”
The charity emphasised its dedication to maintaining support for domestic abuse survivors while navigating these challenges.
How did other charities react to the strike plans?
Employees from Galop, an LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, expressed their solidarity with the staff at Solace Women’s Aid. Members of the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) posted a message of support on social media, recognising the historic significance of the strike in the gender-based violence and anti-abuse sector.
“We’re deeply inspired by your organisation and your historic decision to strike, the first in the gender-based violence and anti-abuse sector to do so,” the post read.
“It’s incredible that through your action, you’ve pushed management to come to the bargaining table and pause the redundancy process. Whilst strike action is paused for now, we know that the struggle for jobs and improved conditions is ongoing.”
What’s next for Solace Women’s Aid and its employees?
While the redundancy plans are on hold, discussions between Solace Women’s Aid, its workers, and the UVW union are expected to continue. Both sides are working toward a resolution that prioritises the needs of the charity’s staff and the survivors they support.
Further updates on the outcome of these negotiations and the future of Solace’s Tower Hamlets team will be shared as the situation develops.
