Charity workers at Oxfam have won an improved pay award after taking part in the first strike action in the organisation’s history, it was announced today.

Following industrial action by Unite members, the majority of Oxfam workers secured a six per cent pay increase and lump-sum payments of £2,300.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s Oxfam members are to be congratulated in their refusal to back down and their refusal to take no for an answer. Their hard-fought campaign has resulted in an improved pay offer, an improved lump-sum payment and better terms and conditions. Yet again, this shows there is power in a union.”

Additionally, the workers also successfully negotiated crucial commitments including:

  • Ensuring Oxfam does not cause detriment to striking workers

  • The introduction of decent minimum pay

  • Pay progression

  • An improved recognition agreement for Unite.

These commitments are key to ensure Oxfam starts treating its workers with respect.

In a hard-fought campaign, Unite members took two days of industrial action (December 8 and 9) which was the first time they had done so in Oxfam’s history.

Unite regional co-ordinating officer Jamie Major added: “Oxfam thought it could trade on its charitable status to make a poor pay offer. Our members took the fight to the picket line to make their strength of feeling clear. I’m delighted they have secured an improved offer.”

-ENDS-

Notes for editors:

Key Oxfam commitments that are part of the offer:

  1. Oxfam and Unite will work together to

    1. investigate the impact of rising cost of living and inflation on the lowest paid workers,

    2. explore new pay principles to protect real incomes,

    3. develop new evidence-based benchmarks for minimum wages that ensure all Oxfam GB employees receive a decent income for the hours that they work and are not experiencing in-work poverty. 

  1. Oxfam and Unite will work together with others to develop a new system of pay progression at Oxfam GB. A plan for pay progression should be finalised by August 2024 and delivered as soon as possible after that.