East London Strike Postponed Redundancies For Abuse Workers On Hold

Workers supporting abuse survivors in Tower Hamlets planned a strike. These workers are from Solace Women’s Aid and were protesting proposed job cuts. The strike was supposed to start on February 14.

Good news! The strike is now on hold for a bit as Solace stopped the job cuts until March 3. This pause allows more time for talks where Solace, the workers, their union, and the council will convene. The goal is to resolve the issue.

The union stated the cuts could harm their services. They worried about a big impact on people they help, and people gathered outside the Town Hall on February 6 in support of the workers.

People spoke at the rally including the workers, union members, and local leaders. One worker said cutting services could raise crime and also lead to more deaths. They also expressed concerns that the remaining staff could face burnout.

The service helps people facing domestic abuse by offering free support, including advice and referrals. They also help with legal and financial problems, and even assist with immigration issues.

Tower Hamlets has the second-highest number of abuse cases in London. Between April and December 2024, Solace handled over 1,100 referrals and aided 227 survivors.

Solace said they paused the strike after talks, aiming to find solutions for everyone involved. They believe this pause helps them resolve the dispute, and they want what is best for both staff and abuse survivors.

Solace reaffirmed that they are still dedicated to helping survivors and urged those in need to contact them.

The Tower Hamlets Council confirmed that Solace took a pause, and the union also confirmed the strike is paused. Everyone will now participate in talks to try and find a way forward.