Support the Fremantle Care Workers

[JoePolitix]

On 1 April 2007 Fremantle Trust cut low paid care workers pay by up to 30%. The workers were told -- "accept these terms or be sacked"! The members involved in the dispute provide residential and day care to the elderly and vulnerable residents in Barnet's old peoples' homes, in north London. Fremantle Trust is a not-for-profit company that took over care home contracts five years ago. The cuts include lower wages, increased hours, no sick pay, shorter holidays and reduced payment for working unsocial hours. Even pensions to which contributions have been made during the workers' service are to be dramatically cut by more than one third. In response to these attacks our members voted to take strike action.

Care workers need to be properly trained, decently paid and most importantly, valued members of society. This is an all too familiar story of privatisation, where companies pledge to keep delivering the same service but under-cut the in-house provision by attacking the conditions of the workforce. UNISON is asking for the widest possible support for the Fremantle workers. It’s not just about pay and conditions – it's about dignity and respect.

Send messages in support here:

http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=285

 

[Irenick]

Thanks for alerting us to this Joe.

As someone who ‘employs’ two carers, through Direct Payments, I know about their levels of pay. I’m in the unenviable position of not being able to pay my carers if they go off sick. I’ve argued with Lambeth councillors and officers on this point. If my carers worked for Lambeth, they’d likely have access to a company sick scheme and pension; but, because Lambeth farmed out its care years ago, we have what we have today.

The alternative to Direct Payments is worse. Prior to getting DPs, Lambeth provided me with agency care for about a month. The carers were great, hard working, discreet and empathetic to my disability and needs. They were contracted to visit me four times a day; and, I learned that in between clients they were not paid.

So, they could start at 8 am, and finish at 10 pm; yet, be paid only 8 or 10 hours – for a 14 hour day! I signed a few up to the T&G; but, their company lost the contract with Lambeth and most left.

 

[JoePolitix]

Down here in Bristol healthcare workers, in conjunction with older and disabled service users launched a campiagn against the lib dem controlled council's attempts to unilaterally privitise five hundred jobs in the Homecare services. In the local council elections earlier this year the campiagn backed candidates who pledged to oppose the privitisation.

The result? The lib dems lost seats in all the wards targetted, lost controll of the council and the plans to privitise have been consigned to the dustbin. Back of the net!

 

[Jemmy Hope]

Update on this campaign here -
http://barnetunison.blogspot.com/2007/09/fremantle-attack-labourstart-all-those.html