Merseyside workers reject pay offer, plan more strikes

Workers at Livv Housing in Merseyside have rejected a pay offer and plan to continue striking. Union leaders accuse the housing firm of trying to undermine its employees by hiring contractors for strike-breaking services. The dispute has been ongoing for several months. Workers voted to take industrial action due to a pay proposal made last summer. Although Livv Housing has offered a 5% pay increase, unions argue this doesn’t address a total pay cut of 30% that staff have faced since 2011. Knowsley MP Anneliese Midgley has also criticized Livv Housing, stating the firm is failing to support its residents while refusing to engage in meaningful discussions with union representatives. Livv Housing claims to have made a final offer that includes not only a pay increase but also reduced working hours and improved pension contributions. They argue this proposal results in a potential overall increase of 17.88%. The union Unite has accused Livv Housing of using contractors to break the strike and is calling this a form of union-busting. Unite’s general secretary stated that the firm should prioritize fair pay for workers instead of spending on strike-breaking tactics. Livv Housing insists that their use of contractors is simply part of their service delivery model and that they are committed to resolving the dispute while ensuring business sustainability.