Carers vote on industrial action to protect pay

Care home staff vote on industrial action after attack on pay and conditions 

GMB Scotland members at three care homes in Glasgow are voting on industrial action after new owners attempted to slash wages and derecognise the union.

GMB Scotland is balloting members on action, including strikes, after pay and conditions were attacked by new owners.

Carers have already overwhelmingly rejected a pay offer at the three homes, Ballieston Care Home, Cardonald Care Home and Stobhill Care Home, when 97% of staff voted against.

The homes, where 150 residents are cared for by 200 staff, were previously run by the Four Seasons group before being take over by Silverline Care and then administered by Minster Care Group.

The workers’ pay and conditions should have been protected during the transfer of ownership under TUPE legislation.

However, Kirsty Nimmo, GMB Scotland organiser, said the new management is attempting to drive down pay and conditions, slashing overtime pay, for example, and reneging on previous pay offers.

She said: “Our members flatly rejected one pay offer before being told it should not have been offered in the first place.

“They were then made an offer which was, for many, even worse. On top of that, the owners now warn the trade union will be derecognised in breach of all agreements.

“All of this is happening during a cost of living crisis. It is not acceptable and it will not be accepted.”

 “We have heard a lot about the ideals of a new National Care Service built on fairness and recognition of the work done by carers.

“The behaviour of this firm makes a mockery of that and managers must be made to understand what is and what is not acceptable and legal.”

The GMB, which began a two week ballot on industrial action on Monday, has written to all of the city’s MSPs urging them to intervene to protect staff and residents at the homes.

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Contact: gmbscotcampaigns@gmb.org.uk