Unite the Union, photo Paul Mattsson, photo Paul Mattsson

Unite the Union, photo Paul Mattsson, photo Paul Mattsson   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Unite housing workers’ branch LE1111

Workers at highly profitable housing association L&Q were shocked to be told of major restructuring and the threat of large-scale redundancies.

In recent months, they have been congratulated for their efforts to keep the organisation going through the pandemic, but now they will face restructuring and the threat of job losses.

The rumour among workers is that 20% cuts are in the pipeline. If this is untrue, Unite the union is calling on management to level with staff and spell out the real position immediately.

While the chief executive makes his Christmas plans knowing that his £344,097 a-year pay is secure, his workforce faces an anxious festive season, and the potential of a disastrous new year.

The organisation declared an annual surplus of £414 million in its last published accounts. It benefits from low interest rates, and only in October boasted of its most successful bond issue ever.

Despite this, staff were told that the rushed ‘consultation’ will proceed through the Christmas period so that redundancies can be completed by the end of the financial year.

There is no justification for ramming these changes through and no rationale for redundancies. Unite believes that L&Q bosses should fully consult both staff and residents, and stands ready to support workers in any action they wish to take.