Cordia struck by fresh claims in break dispute
CARE staff at Glasgow’s biggest care provider say a community base has never been offered to them as a safe place to take their breaks.
As reported in yesterday’s Evening Times, union bosses say Cordia home carers are spending their unpaid breaks in bus stops, car parks and closes as they have nowhere else to go.
Staff working day shifts often have an hour-and-a-half of unpaid break and hang around in tenement closes or wander the streets until it is time to go back on shift.
They say they should not be forced to spend money on hot food and drinks from cafés in order to keep warm, while evening workers say they often feel at risk as shops are usually closed.
Cordia director Andy Clark said staff had seven bases they could use across the city, including Portman Street at Paisley Road Toll.
However, sources who spoke to the Evening Times said they had never been told they could use the Portman Street base, and say it is earmarked for other staff.
One said: “The base, the one on Portman Street has always been there.
“It was set up for management and co-ordinators to go to as a base so they didn’t have to come to Boron Street every day to do their work.
“We have never been told we could use that office.
“We have enquired about if it was somewhere we could go and we’ve never been told we could use it.”
Another source at Cordia said: “I hate going out to work now. I have been here for more than 10 years and it used to be good.
“You used to work from 8am til 1pm and didn’t take a break, it was fine. Now you’re working 7.30am to 10.30am and then 12 to 2pm. You’re hanging about cafés or walking the streets if you can’t afford to buy a coffee every day.”
Mr Clark said the issue had never been raised with the company.
However, union officials have hit back at the claims they never raised their concerns, and insist the issue has been discussed regularly over the last 18 months.
Sam Macartney, of trade union Unison, said Cordia have been made aware of the issues and accused management of “selective memory loss”.
He said: “This has been discussed on numerous occasions at the forums, and in staff grievance hearings.”
Mr Clark responded by reiterating: “We have checked the minutes of our union forum for the last 18 months and we can confirm that this issue has never been raised by Unison.
“We always take the welfare of all of our staff seriously.”