The decision to call off the last day of picket lines in London, Brighton and Bristol comes after two days of strongly supported strike action in their ‘race to the bottom’ jobs row.

Unite is urging the CEO Howard Sinclair and the board to take all steps to protect the health and safety of staff during the coronavirus crisis, starting with meeting the union’s demands for a fairer sickness policy; ending the need for staff to call two senior staff members to report an absence, as well as with issuing staff with adequate protective equipment. (PPE).

Unite regional officer, Tabusam Ahmed said: “Our priority has always been the safety of our members and the very clients they serve day in and out.

“Mr Sinclair was quick to weaponise the coronavirus crisis and criticise our members for taking strike action but he has done very little to reassure his own staff.

“St Mungo’s has not issued any real guidance to staff on how to support their clients safely on an operational basis, nor have staff been provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) which has never been more vital.

“Mr Sinclair and the board must stop the hostilities and start working with the union to rebuild trust. Our members will be working on the front line helping very vulnerable people during this crisis, it’s time they were given the respect they deserve.”