Calling All Unite Sanctuary Members!
Sanctuary Housing Group has continued with its plan to reward long-serving, hard-working frontline staff, who care for vulnerable residents and service users, by threatening to cut their pay, terms and conditions.
Our Unite @ Sanctuary members are uncowed, and gearing up for the next set of actions. There will be a members' planning meeting and all Unite Sanctuary members are invited:
- 5.30pm–7pm
- Tuesday 18th June
- Old Tiger’s Head Pub
- 351 Lee High Road, Blackheath, London SE12 8RU (map)
Members Demands
Instead of longer working hours with no extra pay, a reduced employer sickness policy, removal of the long service award, and a sub-inflation pay increase, our members have set out a clear set of demands. A previous meeting agreed to pursue industrial action if the employer does not withdraw its threat. Instead, members seek:
- All staff to be on equivalent of Greenwich council terms.
- Paid breaks for all staff, all shifts.
- A pay rise across the board of 10%.
- Restoration of the long service award
- Recognition of Unite the Union for collective bargaining
As part of the political strategy, members have also organised a delegation to meet Greenwich Labour Councillor, Averil Lekau, Cabinet Member for Adult's Social Care and Health. They aim to explain the changes being threatened, illustrate the negative impact this will have on the residents, and ask for her intervention to stop the cuts. We are asking all members and supporters to join us:
- 10.30am-11.30am
- Saturday 6th July
- Thamesmere Leisure Centre, Thamesmead SE28 8RE (map)
Greenwich council is a major commissioner of services from Sanctuary Care homes in the area, and at a recent meeting with Sanctuary management, were blamed for cutting funding and forcing through the changes. The fact remains however that Sanctuary has made a surplus on its care service for a number of years.
Unite @ Sanctuary members are demanding
See our previous reports of the campaign: