Unite, the UK's leading union, has launched a hotline for residents of union-busting housing association Livv Housing Group.

Tenants of Livv Housing, based in Knowsley, Merseyside can register their concerns with Unite by calling 07586982889, scanning a QR code on a leaflet or emailing livvletdown@gmail.com.

Residents of the social housing firm, whose management are currently at the centre of a dispute with Unite over pay, have previously complained of issues with the quality of repairs and responses to complaints, as well as long delays in fixing reported issues - and now Unite are offering them a forum to get in touch.

It comes on the back of Unite general secretary Sharon Graham visiting the picket line in Knowsley to address and support striking Livv Housing yesterday (29 April).

Sharon Graham said: “Livv is letting down its workers through a regime of low pay and there is growing evidence it is systematically failing its tenants, Unite will record Livv’s failing and expose them.

“Unite is entirely focused in supporting our members taking industrial action and the workers at Livv will continue to receive the full support of Unite, throughout their dispute.”

Over one hundred workers at Livv Housing have been taking strike action since October last year, with the long-running dispute caused by staff being offered years of below-inflation pay increases.

Unite members at the firm have rejected a five per cent pay rise, as it fails to reverse the real-terms pay cuts of previous years, while Livv Housing made a profit of over £40,000 per employee last year and most recent CEO Léann Hearne was offered a £30,000 pay rise. Livv Housing also reported reserves of £110.6 million in March 2024.

Throughout the dispute, Livv Housing has employed union-busting tactics such as bringing in contractors to cover those taking industrial action and offering the five per cent pay rise to non-unionised workers to encourage them to cross the picket line.

The workers are currently undertaking 11 days of strike action between mid-April and the end of May (see notes to editors for exact dates). Further industrial action is likely if the dispute is not resolved.

Unite regional officer John Sheppard said: “Livv Housing is an extraordinary wealthy organisation which can fully afford to pay its workers a fair pay increase but it is cynically refusing to do so.

“Workers are taking strike action as a last resort, due to Livv’s refusal to negotiate a fair pay deal. We know this will impact on repairs and maintenance, but Livv’s management is solely responsible due to their failure to engage.”

Members of Unison are also involved in the dispute.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The workers are on strike on 29 April  1, 7, 9, 13, 15, 19, 21, 24 May. An overtime ban is all in place from 22 April until 26 May.

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite press officer Natasha Wynarczyk on 07970081524 

Email: natasha.wynarczyk@unitetheunion.org