Quarriers staff in action - never mind the weather as long as we're together

Here's a quick selection of pictures from Quarriers strike and demo today Tuesday 6 September 2011. A brilliant lunchtime turnout in a rainy George Square, Glasgow - and some effective early picketing. More pics here: https://picasaweb.google.com/unisonscotland/QuarriersStrike060911  
BBC Scotland report: UNISON members strike over planned pay cuts .

Check out the Picasa gallery for more: https://picasaweb.google.com/unisonscotland/QuarriersStrike060911


.

Social care staff facing pay cuts of up to 23 per cent prepare to strike, says UNISON

5 September 2011

Hundreds of social care staff who are facing pay cuts of up to 23 per cent will go on strike tomorrow (Tuesday), says UNISON.

Staff at Quarriers – one of Scotland’s largest social care charities – are striking in opposition of a package of cuts that will see some staff taking huge reductions in wages as well as higher pension contributions, reduced sick pay and cuts to their terms and conditions.

Quarriers staff carry out some of the most difficult work with some of the most challenging and vulnerable members of our communities. More than three quarters of UNISON members voted in favour of strike action last month and will down tools tomorrow for 24 hours as part of their campaign to protect pay and conditions. Members will be picketing workplaces across Scotland as well as holding a demonstration and rally in George Square, Glasgow.

Further talks between UNISON and Quarriers took place today (Monday) after the charity – who initially refused to take their proposals to the conciliation service ACAS despite repeated requests from UNISON – decided late last week to enter into talks. However, this broke down when Quarriers was unprepared to begin a process of constructive negotiation.

Simon MacFarlane, regional organiser for UNISON, said: “We’re very disappointed that these talks have failed. UNISON was prepared to engage meaningfully in these last-minute talks but, sadly, Quarriers did not see the benefit of doing so.

“Our members don’t want to take strike action but with talks failing and Quarriers looking to impose pay cuts of up to 23 per cent, we’ve been left with no other option. Some of our members are facing cuts of around £400 a month which is not only unfair, but completely unaffordable and will have a devastating impact on these workers.

“UNISON was prepared to enter into constructive talks to discuss a way forward and we remain committed to doing so."

Stephen Brown, branch secretary of UNISON Quarriers, said: “Taking strike action isn’t a decision we’ve taken lightly and we want to be back at work doing what we do best – providing vital services to some of the most vulnerable people in society.

“The cost of utilities, food and transport are all going up and yet Quarriers expect our staff to take a pay cut of up to 23 per cent in some cases. Our members are rightly worried that they’ll no longer be able to afford to keep a roof over their head or be able to feed their families.

“These brutal cuts are unheard of throughout the rest of the country and Quarriers staff shouldn’t be singled out. Politicians of all parties and at all levels should be looking closely at this situation and asking themselves if this is how they expect Scottish charities to behave. By decimating workers’ terms and conditions, it’s only a matter of time before they decimate the vital services our members provide.”


Public actions in support of Quarriers strike on Tuesday 6 September 2011


Rally and demonstration - Simon Macfarlane, regional organiser, and Stephen Brown, UNISON Quarriers branch secretary, will be available for interview.

• GLASGOW, GEORGE SQUARE:  12 noon – 1pm. 

Pickets - Members will be picketing at the locations below:

• GLASGOW, JAMES SHIELDS, 100 POLLOKSHAWS ROAD:  8am–10am.
• GLASGOW, STOPOVER, 200 POLLOKSHAWS ROAD: 8am–10am.
• ARDROSSAN, SEAFIELD SCHOOL, 86 EGLINTON ROAD: 8am–10am.
• SALTCOATS, GREEN STREET: 8am–10am.
• BRIDGE OF WEIR, QUARRIERS VILLAGE: 8am–10am.


ENDS


Notes to editors:

1. UNISON members in Quarriers will strike from Tuesday, September 6, at 8am until Wednesday, September 7, at 7.59am.
2. The result of the postal ballot on strike action was 76 per cent in favour of strike action with 24 per cent against.
3. Quarriers has warned its staff not to speak to the media about the attacks on their wages and conditions, however, full details of the proposed cuts, including impact statements by members, can be found online at www.quarriersunison.org.uk/15941_69001.4039.html.


For further information contact:
Contact Stephen Brown, branch secretary, on 07584 503 858, or Simon Macfarlane, regional organiser, on 07703 194 132, or Trisha Hamilton, communications officer, on 07939 478 461.

.

Quarriers staff set strike date - but renew call to go to Acas

Tue 30 Aug 2011


UNISON members in Quarriers have set a date for strike action to oppose the imposition of pay cuts of up to 20%. But even as they announced the 24 hour action beginning on Tuesday 6 September, union reps renewed their call on Quarriers management to take the dispute to Acas.

Workers at Quarriers are opposing a package of cuts that will see some staff taking huge reductions in wages as well as higher pension contributions, reduced sick pay and other reductions in terms and conditions. Last week they voted by a margin of 3 to 1 in favour of strike action. At that point UNISON renewed their offer to Quarriers management to take the cuts package to Acas, an offer that was repeated today.

UNISON members in Quarriers will strike FROM TUESDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2011 AT 8.00 AM UNTIL WEDNESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2011 AT 7.59 AM. This will involve a disruption to services but UNISON will ensure that life and limb cover is provided.

UNSION Regional Organiser Simon Macfarlane said:

“No one wants to be taking strike action but Quarriers have left us with no option.  The proposed cuts to pay and conditions will be absolutely devastating on staff, and in the longer term will impact on the service Quarriers provide to vulnerable adults and children. If you are sick with worry and losing your home it is hard to totally focus on the care you are giving. Once again we ask that Quarriers management agree to take this dispute to Acas.”
 
ENDS

Notes to editors:
1.    The result of the postal ballot on strike action was 69% in favour of strike action with 24% against.

2.    Details of the proposed cuts including impact statements by UNISON members can be found on the UNISON Quarriers branch website here http://www.quarriersunison.org.uk/15941_69001.4039.html

For further information please contact:
Stephen Brown (Branch Secretary) 07584 503858
Simon Macfarlane (Regional Organiser) 07703 194132 or
Stephen Low, (Policy Officer), 07956 852822


.

Quarriers staff vote yes to strike action to oppose 20% pay cuts

Friday 26 August 2011

The men and women who care for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable adults and  distressed children have voted massively for strike action. UNISON members at Quarriers are determined to resist brutal pay cuts on staff which will see over 560 staff take a pay cut of 10% while others will lose as much as 23%.

The postal ballot for strike action returned a 76% yes vote for strike action and aan even higher 85% result for action short of a strike. When the ballot result was announced UNISON repeated their ofer to  take the ongoing dispute to Acas for arbitration, but Quarriers management have spurned the offer.

In addition to pay cuts, which will see some members lose £400 a month. There are also proposed cuts to sick pay, increased pension contributions and other protections removed.

Stephen Brown, UNISON Quarriers branch Secretary said today:

“The attacks Quarriers are making on our members are unprecedented. No one can cope with a 23% pay cut and for Quarriers to suggest that they will set up a Hardship Fund for their own staff funded out of their own pay cuts shows how much the organisation has lost touch with its values.

William Quarrier set up Quarriers in the 1870s to help underprivileged children not to use wage cuts to drive staff into poverty”.

Speaking today Simon Macfarlane UNISON Regional Organiser said:

“Our members want to be doing their jobs caring for people  - not arguing with Quarriers management. But the proposed pay cuts will force people out of the job and impact on the work that they do with the people they care for.

“A 3 to 1 vote for strike action must surely send a message to Quarriers that their proposals are unacceptable. We call on Quarriers to get back round the table and to remove their threat to dismiss and re-engage all their staff – let’s take this to ACAS and see if it can be resolved

In recent weeks Quarriers have seemed to be more intent on attacking UNISON instead of negotiating. We call on these attacks and for Quarriers to get down to the real work of trying to find a way forward.

ENDS


Note to editors

1. The ballot result was for Strike Action:  voting “Yes” 219(69%) Votes “No” 69(24%) 3 spoilt papers. Turnout 44%. For industrial action short of a strike votes were voting “Yes”: 245(84.8%)  Total number voting “No”:44 (15.2%)              

For further information please contact: 
Stephen Brown (Branch Secretary) 07584 503858
Simon MacFarlane,( Regional Organiser) 07700 3194132

.

UNISON condemns Quarriers threat to sack 2,000 staff

Date: Monday July 20 2009

Care sector union, UNISON, today condemned Scottish charity, Quarriers', threat to dismiss all their 2,000 staff unless the union agrees to cuts in wages and conditions. Quarriers' - one of Scotlands biggest charitable organisations providing services for vulnerable children, homeless young people and adults with disabilities - threatened on Friday to issue redundancy notices to all its 2000 staff.

This follows the charity's management proposal -tabled in May - to cut staff night shift payments, and payments for public holidays. Most drastically, the charity wants to cut sick pay by a quarter for any worker with less than 5 years service.

Instead of continuing negotiations with UNISON Quarriers' Branch - a meeting was scheduled for Friday 10th July but was cancelled by the employers with no explanation - Quarriers' wrote to UNISON officially notifying them that unless UNISON agrees to their proposal they will make everyone redundant and re-engage them on new terms and conditions.

Stephen Brown, Branch Secretary, of UNISON Quarriers' Branch said, “Like many staff in Quarriers I am on holiday this week and I was horrified by this move by Quarriers. UNISON recognises Quarriers' is feeling the financial pinch and were prepared to meet Quarriers' in order to negotiate properly. I’m therefore disappointed that Quarriers have decided to fall back on gun boat diplomacy by threatening our members with the sack.”

He added, “Our members work very hard for the charity and provide an excellent service to some of the most vulnerable in society. Quarriers' continually say that they value their staff but this threat shows how much they really value us. Quarriers' should withdraw this notice immediately and sit around the table and negotiate with us in a meaningful way.”

.