First Minister steps into row over 'union busting' care group
Caroline Wilson
Tue, 22 August 2023
Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has intervened in a dispute involving a care home in his Glasgow constituency
(Image: PA)
Scotland's First Minister has urged a care home operator to avert looming strike action in Glasgow.
Humza Yousaf has written to the Minster Care Group to call on executives to negotiate with care workers preparing to strike at a home in his south side constituency.
Cardonald Care Home is one of three in Glasgow run by Minster Care where industrial action looms after the firm, who recently took over the homes, was accused of attempting to slash the wages of staff and withdraw official recognition of the workers' trade union.
GMB Scotland said the strike is supported by 98% of its members.
It would be the first at Scottish care homes and come after care workers overwhelmingly rejected a pay offer at the three homes, Ballieston, Cardonald, and Stobhill Care Homes.
Other politicians from across the city have also called on executives to open talks to reassure residents and protect the wages of care workers.
Mr Yousaf, who is SNP MSP for Glasgow Pollok, has written to Mahesh Patel, chief executive of Minster, and paid tribute to staff at the homes while urging action to resolve the dispute.
He wrote: “Social care workers provide a vital service. Their work providing personal care and social support to residents is essential to the running of care homes that are rooted in compassion.”
The SNP MSP, who took credit for averting threatened NHS strikes when health secretary, also voiced concern about the threat to derecognise the GMB.
He wrote: “My own relationship with trade unions has been positive and constructive.
“Even where there have been disagreements, my approach has been to always continue constructive dialogue to try and find a solution.
“I hope you can offer reassurances that this will be your approach going forward.”
The homes, where 150 residents are cared for by 200 staff, were previously run by the Four Seasons group before being taken over by Silverline and is now administered by Minster Care Group.
The workers’ pay and conditions should have been protected during the transfer of ownership under TUPE legislation.
However, Kirsty Nimmo, GMB Scotland organiser, said the new management is attempting to drive down pay and conditions, slashing overtime pay, for example, and reneging on previous pay offers.
READ MORE: Medics warn care home closures could hit NHS care
She said the overwhelming support for strikes, when more than 100 staff were balloted with the majority backing action, exposes the anger of staff and their refusal to accept "an assault" on their pay and conditions.
She said: “Care workers are desperately worried for the residents they care for but also for their own families as the new owners refuse to protect their wages and conditions.
“The staff deserve clarity and reassurance but instead have been plunged into continuing uncertainty and chaos. It cannot and must not go on.
“They appreciate Humza Yousaf’s obvious appreciation of the jobs they do and only wish the company would show the same respect for their crucial work.
“It is time for this company to reassure staff, avert these strikes end what has been a hugely worrying time for the workers and the residents.”
The Herald has approached Minster Care for comment.
Scotland's First Minister has urged a care home operator to avert looming strike action in Glasgow.
Humza Yousaf has written to the Minster Care Group to call on executives to negotiate with care workers preparing to strike at a home in his south side constituency.
Cardonald Care Home is one of three in Glasgow run by Minster Care where industrial action looms after the firm, who recently took over the homes, was accused of attempting to slash the wages of staff and withdraw official recognition of the workers' trade union.
GMB Scotland said the strike is supported by 98% of its members.
It would be the first at Scottish care homes and come after care workers overwhelmingly rejected a pay offer at the three homes, Ballieston, Cardonald, and Stobhill Care Homes.
Other politicians from across the city have also called on executives to open talks to reassure residents and protect the wages of care workers.
Mr Yousaf, who is SNP MSP for Glasgow Pollok, has written to Mahesh Patel, chief executive of Minster, and paid tribute to staff at the homes while urging action to resolve the dispute.
He wrote: “Social care workers provide a vital service. Their work providing personal care and social support to residents is essential to the running of care homes that are rooted in compassion.”
The SNP MSP, who took credit for averting threatened NHS strikes when health secretary, also voiced concern about the threat to derecognise the GMB.
He wrote: “My own relationship with trade unions has been positive and constructive.
“Even where there have been disagreements, my approach has been to always continue constructive dialogue to try and find a solution.
“I hope you can offer reassurances that this will be your approach going forward.”
The homes, where 150 residents are cared for by 200 staff, were previously run by the Four Seasons group before being taken over by Silverline and is now administered by Minster Care Group.
The workers’ pay and conditions should have been protected during the transfer of ownership under TUPE legislation.
However, Kirsty Nimmo, GMB Scotland organiser, said the new management is attempting to drive down pay and conditions, slashing overtime pay, for example, and reneging on previous pay offers.
READ MORE: Medics warn care home closures could hit NHS care
She said the overwhelming support for strikes, when more than 100 staff were balloted with the majority backing action, exposes the anger of staff and their refusal to accept "an assault" on their pay and conditions.
She said: “Care workers are desperately worried for the residents they care for but also for their own families as the new owners refuse to protect their wages and conditions.
“The staff deserve clarity and reassurance but instead have been plunged into continuing uncertainty and chaos. It cannot and must not go on.
“They appreciate Humza Yousaf’s obvious appreciation of the jobs they do and only wish the company would show the same respect for their crucial work.
“It is time for this company to reassure staff, avert these strikes end what has been a hugely worrying time for the workers and the residents.”
The Herald has approached Minster Care for comment.
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