Care Workers In Hanover To Start Industrial Action

GMB Scotland Media Release

Care Workers In Hanover To Start Industrial Action Against “Insulting” Pay Cut Plan

Care workers employed by the charity and social landlord Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association will start a programme of industrial action against their management’s “insulting” 1 per cent pay offer.

Action will involve a work to rule including a ban on all overtime and additional holiday working from 17.00 hours from tomorrow (Tuesday 7 September), impacting service delivery in care support, cleansing and domestic assistance across twenty-eight sites.

The dispute is the culmination of months of fruitless negotiations between GMB Scotland representatives and Hanover senior management, who themselves were awarded a 4.5 per cent pay rise in 2020, to substantially lift the pay and conditions of frontline staff.

GMB Scotland organiser Ude Joe-Adigwe said:

“The employer’s offer means a real-terms pay cut for staff who have worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s totally insulting.

“Our members provide vital care and assistance for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, and they deserve to be treated so much better than this.

“This is not a decision our members have taken lightly; they are proud of their work, but it’s a shame their employer won’t value frontline staff the way they value themselves.

“This action shows Hanover that their staff are prepared to fight for their dignity and value, and we would hope the employer reconsidered its position.”

ENDS

Contact: GMB Scotland Organiser Ude Joe-Adigwe on 07912 560805 or gmbscotcampaigns@gmb.org.uk