Support Care UK Strikers

We live in the days when the powers that be are attempting to roll back time and deny us of the working conditions for which our parents and grandparents fought, wage cuts and changing terms and conditions to our detriment are the order of the day.
One group of workers in Doncaster however are showing the true metal that is needed to resist these changes.

When a group of care workers were moved over from the NHS to the private company Care UK an immediate attack on their terms and conditions began as the private company wanted to squeeze as much profit as they could out of this group of workers. The attack on pay rates, holiday and sick pay amounts to a near 50% cut in their income and will not be tolerated by this group of workers who care for some of the most vulnerable people in society.
In a secret ballot by UNISON they voted to commence industrial action that has so far resulted in two weeks of strike action.
On Saturday 12 April a protest was held outside the Fat Face store at Orchard Square in Sheffield. Fat Face is owned by the huge multinational Bridgepoint Capital which owns Care UK.
Bridgepoint also have huge stakes in Pret a Manger, Virgin Active, Leeds-Bradford airport and many more. The message of the protest was that will continue to embarrass brands on the Bridgepoint portfolio until Care UK stop attacking their staff.
The Doncaster workers have so far held a total of sixteen days of strikes. They have received an impressive level of solidarity from trade union branches and workplace collections totalling something like £20,000.
Strikers have been getting out to speak at union branches and meetings around the country to raise solidarity.
Because of Care UK’s intransigence and the number of days of strikes the workers have been forced to take they need solidarity. Rush solidarity messages and requests for speakers to:
[email protected]
Make cheques payable to: Doncaster, District & Bassetlaw Health Branch and send to: Jenkinson House, White Rose Way, Doncaster DN4 5GJ
Email Care UK chief executive Mike Parish to complain about the way they’re treating their workers: [email protected]
Visit the strike Facebook page ‘Doncaster Supported Living Unison Strike’ click here
Follow on twitter: @StrikeUnison.
If companies like Care UK get away with cutting wages then so other groups of workers who face privatisation will suffer likewise.
Only by strike action, mass protests and direct action of all workers can we hope to turn the tide of attacks on our people.