The planned strike by domestic abuse support workers in Tower Hamlets has been temporarily halted for further negotiations.
Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) from Solace Women’s Aid were scheduled to begin their strike on Friday in response to proposed layoffs, as reported by Local Democracy Reporting Service.
In light of this situation, Solace has chosen to suspend the redundancy process until March 3, allowing time for discussions with staff, the United Voices of the World (UVW) union, and Tower Hamlets Council to seek a resolution to the conflict.
The participating workers, affiliated with UVW, overwhelmingly voted in favor of the strike, achieving a 100% approval rate from a turnout of 92%.
The union previously expressed concerns that the proposed layoffs could reduce the team by a third, warning of potentially devastating consequences for the individuals they assist.
Tower Hamlets ranks as the second-highest borough in London for domestic abuse incidents.
Last Thursday, a large crowd gathered outside Tower Hamlets Town Hall to demonstrate support for the workers.
Speakers included IDVAs, union representatives, local councillors, the activist group Sisters Uncut, and Apsana Begum, the Independent MP for Poplar and Limehouse.
An anonymous worker shared, “It’s devastating because we should be enhancing services. We ought to be investing in them instead of cutting them back. This will likely lead to increased crime rates and more fatalities.”
They added, “This will take a toll on workers, leading to burnout, as we are setting up a system that is destined to fail, undermining our ability to provide optimal support to victims.”
The service, funded by the council, offers free emotional assistance to high-risk survivors of domestic violence, which includes advocacy, referrals, and information dissemination.
Workers also address systemic obstacles that victims face, including navigating immigration issues and financial or legal hurdles.
Between April and December 2024, Solace staff managed 1,139 referrals and provided support to 227 victim-survivors.
A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council stated, “The union has confirmed that its members have opted to suspend the planned industrial action during this period while efforts are made to reach a resolution.”
