Dispute Initiates: Livv Housing Group Faces Work Stoppage
In a significant turn of events, workers at Livv Housing, a Merseyside-based housing provider, have been on strike since October 2024, escalating industrial action through 2025. The dispute stems from a proposed pay settlement that has been met with resistance by union members.
John Sheppard, the regional officer at Unite, has accused Livv Housing's leadership of being directly responsible for the disruption caused to tenants. The proposed settlement includes a one-off payment of £175 to workers, agreed after an eight-month industrial dispute. However, this offer has been rejected by union members, who view it as insufficient given the real-term pay cuts over the years.
Previously, Livv management had offered a 5% pay rise conditional on workers confirming non-union membership in writing, a move widely seen as a union-busting tactic. This offer was also rejected, leading to the ongoing strike action.
The rejection of low pay rise offers, such as this year's 3.2% offer, has been consistent among union members. Local authority workers associated with Unite have voted overwhelmingly against this offer, indicating dissatisfaction with the current settlement level.
Political figures have also shown support for the workers. Local Labour MP Annaliese Midgley has criticised Livv's approach and union hostility at a parliamentary debate in January 2025.
As of mid-July 2025, while some pay increases like the one-off £175 payment have been agreed upon, the overall negotiations appear unresolved regarding a fair and ongoing pay rise. This is evidenced by continued union opposition and strike actions.
John Sheppard has stated that Livv Housing could end the strikes tomorrow by putting forward a fair deal. Sharon Graham, Unite's general secretary, has emphasised that after years of below-inflation pay rises, Livv Housing workers have had enough.
The strike includes all members of staff who are calling for pay increases in line with inflation. James Robinson, branch secretary for UNISON Knowsley, has stated that staff need a decent wage rise after years of pay sliding. He added that strikes are a last resort for workers, but they have been left with no other option.
It is worth noting that Livv Housing has delivered 13,000 properties since its founding in July 2002. In March last year, the company reported reserves of £110.6million. Despite these financial resources, negotiations remain tense with no comprehensive settlement yet reached that satisfies union members.
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The striking workers are eager to return to their jobs and support residents, but they can't until Livv Housing's management holds proper negotiations. The month-long walkout is expected to significantly affect households, with many unable to report issues with their homes during this period. The situation remains fluid, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
- The ongoing strike at Livv Housing, a housing provider based in Merseyside, has been escalating since October 2024, driven by union members' resistance to a proposed pay settlement that includes a one-off payment of £175.
- The housing industry's policy-and-legislation landscape has been impacted by this lengthy strike, with political figures such as local Labour MP Annaliese Midgley voicing support for the workers.
- As the business sector closely follows this development, John Sheppard, the regional officer at Unite, has stated that Livv Housing could end the strikes tomorrow by offering a fair deal that aligns with inflation.
- The retail sector may also be affected, as some households could face potential issues with reporting or addressing problems related to their homes, given the ongoing walkout, which is expected to continue due to unresolved negotiations between Livv Housing and the unions.
