by Pippa Evans, Tower Hamlets Socialist Party
Solace workers held a vigil outside to remember and stand in solidarity with victims of domestic violence. The vigil outside Tower Hamlets Town Hall on 19 February emphasised the importance of the work that the Solace workers do in the borough, which has the second highest rate of domestic violence in London.
Strike
The workers voted overwhelmingly for strike action — 100% in favour, on a 92% turnout — after the Solace charity threatened to make a third of the workers redundant. The indefinite strike was due to start on 14 February, but this has been temporarily paused to allow for negotiations.
They are fighting the destruction of the service they provide.
Photo: Carmen Leher
Workers from Solace — members of the United Voices of the World (UVW) union — led the vigil, and members from other unions and domestic violence services spoke in solidarity with their historic campaign. The workers rightly see strike action and the campaign as key to protecting their vital service, ensuring that survivors are able to access lifesaving support when needed.
Tower Hamlets Council is run by the independent Aspire party. It was elected because local people were sick of Labour and Tory austerity, and has introduced popular policies, like extending free school meals.
Council must step in now
The workers are demanding that the council acts now to protect the jobs, allowing them to continue providing support to survivors. And this is more than properly funding domestic-violence services. The council must also build safe and affordable council homes, so that those fleeing violence have somewhere to go, and must fight against all cuts to other services that provide protection and support.
The Socialist Party says that Tower Hamlets Council needs to help build a mass movement of trade unions and community groups to fight for the funding from the government to stop cuts to all services, which survivors in Tower Hamlets desperately need.