Union members at Solace Women’s Aid have voted unanimously in favour of indefinite strike action in response to job cuts affecting one-third of a hub’s team.

Domestic violence advisers at the charity’s Tower Hamlets hub who are also members of the United Voices of the World union will strike from 14 February.

The union said it was representing all 12 non-executive staff members on the team.

Strike action was agreed upon after Tower Hamlets Council “failed to act” on Solace union workers’ calls to intervene and safeguard critical services supporting domestic abuse survivors, the union said.

“Last week, Solace workers voted 100 per cent in favour of strike action after management refused to scrap plans to cut their team by a third,” the union said.

“The charity is contracted by Tower Hamlets Council to provide specialist support for domestic abuse survivors.

“Despite the value of this contract nearly doubling – from £783,452 in 2021 to 2024 to £1.4m for 2024 to 2026 – Solace claims the council has withdrawn expected funding, forcing it to cut staff.”

The UVW union has called for “immediate action” from both the council and Solace management to protect the services its members deliver.

Karina Cuji, Solace multi-agency support team IDVA and UVW member, said: “We want victims of domestic violence in Tower Hamlets to receive a high-quality service, but these cuts will not only prevent us from doing so but also leave many victims without any support.”

Union members have opened a strike fund and will hold a rally outside Tower Hamlets Town Hall at 5.30pm on 6 February.

Nahar Choudhury, chief executive of Solace Women’s Aid, 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, while 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.”

Tower Hamlets Council has been contacted for comment.