Care workers strike over pay


Over 650 members of the public service union UNISON employed by the care group Alternative Futures Group (AFG) have been on strike over cuts to their pay.


AFG has cut back care support workers’ pay for sleep-in shifts. This will cost some staff as much as £2,000 a year. The care support workers are only paid at the level of the minimum wage for their regular hours and many are now struggling to stay in the care sector due to not being paid adequately for their night work.


UNISON has offered to meet with AFG for negotiations aimed at averting the strike, but the company has rejected this.


Staff have received great support, with a public petition amassing more than 13,000 signatures.


UNISON North West regional convenor Paula Barker said: “AFG staff and council commissioners are furious that AFG senior managers have refused to negotiate to resolve the dispute.


Barker said AFG’s pay cuts are jeopardising the future provision of care services for vulnerable people, as experienced and skilled care staff are being driven out of the sector.


“AFG’s senior management have been entrusted with providing a very important public service, but their actions are both unjust and reckless," she added.


“AFG need to get back round the table and enter into serious talks to get this matter resolved.”


www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2019/05/afg-workers-set-begin-seven-day-strike