Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Union boss quits in home care jobs row
The chairman of Unison in North Lanarkshire has quit his post over the possiblity of privitisation of home care workers’ jobs.
Alan Love accused the union of “appeasing” North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim Logue, rather than fighting to secure the jobs of home care staff
However, Unison’s secretary Marie Quigley insisted they are against the privatisation.
In his resignation letter Mr Love stated: “Apart from chairing meetings, I do not appear to have a role within Unison.
“Unison seems to be more focused on appeasing the leader of the council and facility time than fighting for the jobs of our home support workers.”
In April Councillor Barry McCulloch, the council’s social work convener, announced home care jobs would stay in-house at the council
But a briefing paper emerged two months later, stating the current arrangements for home care were “not sustainable” because of financial pressure and growing demand.
Mr Love added: “One home support worker telephoned and asked me if the changes to home care were true because, based on the recent announcement by Councillor Barry McCulloch, she had just bought her council property.
“Another texted me and described Unison as shambolic.
“When did Unison intend telling our home support workers of the content of this briefing note?”
Marie Quigle said: “Unison’s position is very clear in relation to home support workers. We will fight any move to privatise public services.
“The fight against privatisation, compulsory redundancies and pay cuts is the number one priority for the branch.
“Throughout our campaign against budget cuts we have argued strongly that the home support workers’ service should not be privatised.
“That campaign has highlighted the overwhelming public support that council- run home support services have.
“We raised this matter with the former leader of the council and have also raised this matter with the current leader.
“Unison were instrumental in achieving equal pay settlements for this group of workers and, indeed, were part of their recent settlement arrangements. Unison continues to fight and will resist any privatisation of any public services.”