Oxfam workers vote to strike for first time

Unite the union said a recent survey showed many of Oxfam's workers had to rely on food banks

Oxfam workers will go on a 17-day strike throughout December for the first time in the charity's 81-year history.

Unite union said this was due to staff being angry that average wages at the Oxford-based charity had been cut in real terms by 21% since 2018.

The union said 83% of workers voted in favour of strike action in a ballot with an 82% turnout.

An Oxfam GB spokesperson said the charity planned to meet with Unite to discuss further steps.

About 500 Oxfam GB staff members, who work across the charity’s shops, offices and Oxford headquarters, plan to walk out between 8 and 31 December.

It would impact offices and more than 200 shops.

The decision came after workers had rejected a pay increase of £1,750 or six per cent, plus a one-off taxed payment of £1,000 for the lowest earners.

Unite said the charity had repeatedly refused to enter fresh negotiations.

The union's general secretary, Sharon Graham, accused Oxfam of hypocrisy as "its own workers report having to use foodbanks", while the charity was "an extremely wealthy organisation".

Oxfam reported cash reserves stood at £44.6 million in 2022.

'Deeply regret'

An Oxfam GB spokesperson said they were "acutely aware" of the pressures that the rising cost of living has had on their workers.

"We chose to bring forward paying the latest real Living Wage increases, and prioritised lower paid colleagues in this year’s award," the spokesperson said.

“We deeply regret that we could not do more but the settlement Unite is asking for is simply not affordable for Oxfam at a time when many of the communities we work with around the world are also facing sharply rising costs."