Future Directions workers out in force at the Durham Miners' Gala

From Today's UNISON eFocus
"Future Directions workers were out in force at the Durham Miners' Gala at the weekend, pressing their case for pay justice at the annual celebration of the labour movement.

The workers from Rochdale in Greater Manchester are taking industrial action, including strikes - most recently for four days - over pay cuts and slashed terms and conditions which could see some losing up to £10,000 a year.

Some 115 members are being forced to take industrial action by their employer Future Directions, a "community interest company" set up by the local NHS foundation trust to provide community services.

The workers were transferred to the new company from the NHS and local councils under TUPE.
When the action started in May, Rochdale branch secretary Helen Harrison said: "Our members provide a vital service to vulnerable adults living in Rochdale. They do a tough job, and now they are being asked to do it for even less money, on worse terms and conditions.

"Some of our members may lose their homes because of these drastic cuts. They care deeply about the services they provide, but have no choice but to take this strike action."

Messages of support and donations can be sent to Helen Harrison, branch secretary, Rochdale UNISON, 46 Richard Street, Rochdale, OL11 1DU. Email: unison@rochdale.gov.uk. Cheques can be made payable to Rochdale UNISON".

Turning Point Strike against massive pay cuts and refusal to talk

Today there is a strike by UNISON members who work for the National health & social care "charity" called Turning Point in Stoke and Staffordshire. They are holding demonstrations in Manchester and London.

While I think everyone understands that the voluntary sector is facing enormous pressures due to government cuts, it is completely unacceptable for the senior management of so called socially responsible organisations to decimate their employees wages and conditions while refusing to recognise or even negotiate with their trade union. This is at the very least a fundamental breach of human rights.

I have also seen some really inappropriate, threatening and nasty communications from Turning Point's Senior management which makes me wonder what are earth is going on in this organisation?

The London solidarity action will be taking place during lunch time outside Turning Points’ London main office at:Standon House 21 Mansell St E1 8AA Friday 26th April 12.30 - 1.30pm. Nearest tube Aldgate. 

This is from West Midlands Community Branch "Members at Turning Point, who are former NHS employees, feel particularly betrayed as they are having hard earned TUPE protections swept away, including redundancy rights. The organisation has denied UNISON recognition although it transferred over by law under TUPE

If the cuts to their pay and other terms and conditions are allowed to go ahead then Turning Point workers will be put on the poverty line. Some are facing reductions in their pay of up to £10,000 per year. All staff will be hit by the changes depending on their individual contract terms. The cuts to terms and conditions include:

• cut to all overtime pay
• cut in ‘sleep ins’, ‘on calls’ and other out of office payments
• stripping all staff of any enhanced redundancy payments
• cut in all unsociable hours payments meaning care staff will now be paid basic whether they work nights or days
• refusing to pay any future pay awards agreed by the NJC or Agenda for Change increments.

Its Chief Executive is Lord Victor Adebowale, who paid himself £165,000 and his three Assistants another £473,000 in 2012. Turning Point does not appear to be in financial difficulty as their most recent published accounts demonstrate with reserves of over £5M.

Please contact Lord Victor Adebowale by e-mail at victor.adebowale@turning-point.co.uk asking Turning Point:

1. to withdraw the dismissal notices and new contracts that workers are being pressured to sign;

2. to enter into negotiation with UNISON to find alternative solutions".

Update: check UNISON press release