WORKERS at Solace Women’s Aid will begin indefinite strike action from Valentine’s Day over job cuts they say threaten life-saving services for domestic abuse victims.

The London-based charity workers, who are members of the United Voices of the World (UVW) union, voted unanimously in favour of industrial action last week after management refused to scrap plans to cut their team by a third.

The workers call on Solace management and Tower Hamlets Council to urgently meet them for talks to stop the February 14 strike.

Tower Hamlets has the second-highest rate of domestic abuse cases in London, and workers have warned that slashing staffing numbers will have a catastrophic impact on vulnerable women and children.

Workers are calling for community support in a rally outside Tower Hamlets Town Hall at 5.30pm on Thursday February 6.

One worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We have worked tirelessly to support the community of Tower Hamlets.

“Domestic abuse is a national emergency, as the recent report by the National Audit Office says: ‘The epidemic of violence against women and girls in the UK is getting worse despite years of government promises and strategies.’

“Our main priority with this strike is to highlight the importance of our service and the impact on the community if the team is reduced.”

UVW assistant general secretary Isabel Cortes said: “Our members refuse to stand by while jobs are axed and survivors are left without the support they need.

“Members are striking with a heavy heart, but they are doing so to preserve services in the long run.

“We demand that Tower Hamlets Council and Solace management act now to protect these life-saving services.”

Nahar Choudhury, Solace CEO said “We hope to be able to resolve the dispute, and will continue to make efforts with staff, the union and the commissioner to do so. We believe it is in the best interests of our survivors and staff to find solutions.

“Solace remains committed to supporting survivors in Tower Hamlets and across London, whilst facing increasing challenges for funding for our vital services. We advocate hard to maintain our services at a local level and call for sustainable funding for specialist domestic abuse charities at a national level, and will continue to do so.”