Child Poverty Action Group strike

As an active member of my trade union branch, I was pleased to be able to visit the picket line at Child Poverty Action Group yesterday morning and lend some solidarity to a group of workers who are being asked to accept reduced terms and conditions.

This is believed to be the first strike by staff at a "household name" charity, but it is unfortunately a symptom of a growing problem in the voluntary sector.

As the sector becomes more professional, there is an increase in tension between highly skilled and committed staff who expect decent pay and conditions, and some voluntary management committees who expect staff to work for a pittance and be glad because they are working for "a good cause".

There is much scope for improved relations between the unions and voluntary management committees, many of which seem to see unions as an enemy rather than partners in the struggle for a better world.

A report of the background to the strike action can be found on the Society Guardian site.