Charity cuts ties with leading union amid hostility claims

A social care provider has refused to deal with a leading union after accusing it of hostility which alarmed staff and clients.

Charity Cornerstone withdrew from voluntary recognition of Unison yesterday.

The two organisations were due to meet for pay talks today.

Cornerstone, which employs 2,200 people across Scotland and has branches in Dundee, Dunfermline and Perth, provides care and support for disabled adults and children.

Edel Harris, chief executive, said: “Our 24-year relationship with Unison has broken down to such an extent that it is having an adverse impact on colleagues and diverting senior management resource away from delivering on our strategy, at a critical point in its implementation.

“Despite our genuine attempts in the last two years to get back onto a more constructive footing, Unison has refused to change its approach and we have no alternative but to withdraw from our voluntary recognition agreement.

“Misleading and hostile statements from Unison have caused alarm among our employees and, more importantly, raised unnecessary concern among the parents and guardians of those for whom we care, which is unforgivable.”

Cornerstone said Unison represented a small minority of its staff and the decision would not affect how employees were treated.

Deborah Clarke, Unison head of community, said: “We were saddened to hear Cornerstone feels it needs to take this action. Unison do not recognise the picture painted by Cornerstone.

“Our members are the very people who care for Cornerstone’s service users, they care deeply about the people they look after, and the overall service that Cornerstone deliver.

“Unison does have the option of applying for statutory recognition because we have a considerable number of members who work there. However, we hope to discuss this issue further with Cornerstone managers and we will also discuss this decision with our members in Cornerstone before we decide what to do next.”