WORKERS and residents at the Regina Coeli hostel have been in dispute with the owners of the hostel since being given notice that it was going to close.

The workers, most of whom are Unite members, have been suspended as they continued a “work-in” since January 12.

The management committee made the decision to close the hostel which is owned by the Legion of Mary, who support the decision.

Residents in the home are being offered alternative, but in some cases inadequate, accommodation. The workers believe that if the hostel is emptied then it will close its doors for good; they believe, as do the residents, that it provides an essential facility for vulnerable women.

Unite women’s regional officer Taryn Trainer said: “Regina Coela House in Belfast is the only women-only hostel in Northern Ireland providing accommodation for homeless women, trafficked women, those with addictions and mental health issues and survivors of domestic and other forms of abuse and trauma.”

Unite believes that if the Department of Communities was to direct the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to keep running the service, that would provide a basis for the resolution for the present crisis.

The reason given for closing the hostel is that it is in disrepair, needing £500,000 to renovate it.  

Regional secretary for Unite Jackie Pollock commented: “Unite once again requested sight of the building survey which is being used to justify the closure of this vital facility. We offered to pay for a second professional survey so that if there were any issues, we could initiate immediate discussions on how to solve them and keep the doors to Regina Coeli House open.”

Belfast City Council held a special meeting in January and there was a unanimous cross-party vote by councillors to seek a joint meeting with the Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to discuss solutions to this issue.

Support has been expressed for the workers from all parties and this makes it now unthinkable that Regina Coeli House can be allowed to close.

Unite called for these words to translate into action after a day when thousands signed an online petition launched by staff to save Regina Coeli House.

Jackie Pollock, who spoke after the Belfast City Council meeting, said: “Alongside the need for a wider programme of investment in public housing, including that for vulnerable persons, we need to see the maintenance of the services offered at Regina Coeli House.

“That must mean the immediate removal of the suspensions of our members, the Legion of Mary must hand over the building and grounds to the NI Housing Executive who need to commit to stepping in to run it, including implementing the direct employment of the workforce so they can continue their vital work.”

In the meantime, throughout January and February, many trade unionists and the local community activists continue to support the residents and workers and have visited the hostel.

Visitors included Ms Hargey, the Lord Mayor of Belfast Kate Nicholl, Unite registered childminders’ branch, which presented them with a donation of vouchers and shop stewards from Harland & Wolff, who gave a financial donation from a workplace collection in support of the campaign.

Political parties Sinn Fein, the Communist Party, the Connolly Youth Movement, People Before Profit, the Workers Party, the SDLP and others have all added their support.

On January 31 Siptu and Belfast Trades Council took part in a solidarity action at the hostel and brought along their banner. They issued a statement of solidarity and support and urged people to sign the petition.

On February 3 Labour MPs Kate Osborne and Tonia Antoniazzi visited the hostel to show their support for the “work-in” and the campaign to keep this facility open.

The Unite members say that even if the present residents are relocated there is still a need for the hostel — this demand is being supported by the trade union, women’s and community movement.

A letter from the Down and Connor Comitium of the Legion of Mary stated that they recognised “the need for the provision of a female-only hostel” and asserted that they were “completely open to discussions to seek a way forward” but that due to the state of the building “even if funding for the critically necessary works was found, the building still could not remain open to residents.”

However, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a vital facility for vulnerable women — not just in Belfast but across Northern Ireland. It is shocking that this facility faces the prospect of closure, leaving women in crisis with no place to go.

“Surely in the tragic aftermath of the murder of Ashling Murphy it is inconceivable that this place of safety for women could shut its doors?”

As of February 7 no further progress has been made as the campaign waits for a further response from the Legion of Mary.

Lynda Walker is a member of the Belfast and District Trades Union Council.