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12.02.2026 / News / Solace

Domestic Violence Advisors Take  Solace Charity to CAC Tribunal in Union Recognition Fight 

“While we advocate every day for survivors of abuse, we feel our own voices continue to be disregarded.” 

Domestic Violence Advisors at Solace Women’s Aid in Tower Hamlets have formally applied to the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) for statutory recognition of their union, United Voices of the World (UVW), after months of delays and unfulfilled commitments by management. 

Twice in 2025 — in January and July — Tower Hamlets staff, members of UVW, issued statutory notices of industrial action following successful ballots. The indefinite strike planned for February 2025, the first by any domestic abuse charity, was called off after an intense public campaign compelled the borough to intervene and halt draconian redundancies that threatened the service. 

Four months later, in July 2025, UVW members suspended in good faith a second planned strike over trade union recognition after management agreed to begin a voluntary recognition process. While Solace initially indicated a willingness to negotiate, the charity has since failed to follow up on agreed timelines and has stalled discussions, leaving the process at a standstill. 

Management has proposed excluding union representatives from annual negotiations unless permitted to attend on an ad hoc basis — a move that fundamentally undermines the purpose of trade union recognition. 

Workers say they are no longer prepared to depend on informal arrangements. After months of stalling that have eroded trust, they have submitted an application to the CAC to secure a clear and enforceable framework for union representation. 

One of the workers said: “Last summer, we agreed to work collaboratively with management on union recognition and suspended industrial action in good faith. Seven months later, no meaningful progress has been made. While we advocate every day for survivors of abuse, we feel our own voices continue to be disregarded by the charity we work for. We had hoped to reach a voluntary agreement, as originally agreed, but this now appears unattainable. Consequently, we have been left with no alternative but to submit an application to the CAC. It is regrettable that Solace has not upheld the commitments it made.” 

Trade union recognition would give Tower Hamlets Domestic Violence Advisors the right to collectively negotiate on pay, terms and conditions, and guarantee union representatives the facilities and time to properly represent their colleagues. 

UVW members at Solace in Tower Hamlets suspended industrial action, engaged constructively, and waited in good faith for voluntary recognition to progress. Instead, they have faced months of delays and unreasonable proposals, leaving frontline workers without a formal voice at work. 

These are emotionally demanding, life-saving roles. Yet the workers carrying them out are locked out of decisions about their own jobs. 

Union recognition exists to give workers a collective voice and basic protections at work. It is not an unreasonable demand — it is the bare minimum. 

UVW will continue to support members through the CAC process and stand with them every step of the way. 

✊🏾 Stand with Solace workers. 
✊🏾 Defend the right to union recognition. Join us >> 

 

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