Hundreds of Oxfam workers have started their first-ever strike, marking a historic moment in the charity’s 81-year history.
Unite the union members, unhappy with Oxfam’s latest pay proposal, started a 17-day strike on Friday, December 8.
The walkouts would impact the crucial shopping days leading up to Christmas in both Oxfam offices and 200 charity shops.
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Unite claims nearly 500 workers will participate in the strike.
The union says average wages have suffered a 21 percent decline in real terms, adjusted for inflation, since 2018.
Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, said: “Oxfam wants to end poverty and says it is on the side of unions.
“Yet its own workers report having to use food banks, it refuses to engage with the only union representing its workforce and it is considering using unpaid labour to break a strike.
“Oxfam is an extremely wealthy organisation and can afford to put forward an acceptable offer without impacting its charity work in the slightest.”
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Oxfam said it was a “normal practice” of volunteers maintaining shop operations in the absence of managers where feasible.
The charity said: “Where volunteers are comfortable to do so, we will follow our usual procedure during strike action. We will not ask any volunteers to take on work they are not comfortable with.”
Oxfam said its reserves have dropped and need to retain sufficient funds to navigate potential financial challenges.
The charity’s reserves were reported at £44.6 million in 2022, considered by Oxfam as necessary.
But it’s currently at the “lower end” for weathering future financial uncertainties.
The workers voted 83 percent in favour of the strike in a ballot with an 82 percent turnout.
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They rejected a six percent pay offer of £1,750 and a one-off payment of £1,000 for the lowest earners.
“We are proud to be a real living wage employer”
Oxfam said: “While we are disappointed that tomorrow’s strike is going ahead, we do understand the frustration of colleagues who are facing a steeply rising cost of living.
“We are proud to be a real living wage employer and are doing what we can to address colleagues’ concerns within the limits of the resources we have available.”
Workers will strike at Oxfam shops and offices on December 8 to 9, 14 to 17, and 26 to 31.
Unite warned of intensifying industrial action if the ongoing pay dispute remains unresolved.
