Residential home care workers in Glasgow strike to protect services

Mon 13 Jan 2014

Care workers in Glasgow City Council’s residential homes will go on strike for two days from tomorrow (Tuesday) to resist new job roles, longer shift patterns and pay cuts of up to 7 per cent.

Brian Smith, UNISON City of Glasgow Branch Secretary, said:
“We have not taken action lightly but have no alternative. Again, we ask Glasgow City Council to work with us to reach an agreement.

“These changes will affect the vulnerable people our members care for. The lowest paid staff are being asked to take on new tasks like dispensing medicines – and at the same time they are being forced to work longer shifts and to accept massive pay cuts.”

The new shift patterns will mean a wage loss of up to £1495 per year for 182 staff who are already feeling the impact of rising living costs.

Brian Smith added:
“We are concerned increasing shifts to twelve and a half hours – and reducing staff/resident ratios at night – will undermine the standard of care that we can provide. Our residents have complex needs and caring is a demanding job. We must maintain a competent and confident workforce who can give the care our residents deserve.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Glasgow City Council plans to cut wages of residential home care workers by up to 7 per cent through the introduction of longer shift patterns. The move would affect 182 workers, out of a workforce of just over 500, with 122 full time workers on salaries of £20,000-£28,000 facing a loss of £1495 per year, while 60 part timers face a loss of £794 per year.

• Glasgow City Council wants to alter the job roles of the lowest paid workers to include the administration of medicines. This is not in their pay grade. UNISON is calling for properly identified roles and responsibilities of staff, recognition of the risks associated with any new roles staff are being asked to undertake, fair recompense for the new tasks they are being asked to do, all underpinned by proper training and support.

• UNISON Scotland also believes that the proposed staff/resident ratio on the new night shift pattern is inadequate. Night shifts ratios are as important as day shift ones.

• The strike will take place over two days on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 of January 2014.