Date: Wednesday 30 October 2013

Hundreds of Glasgow charity care workers face uncertain future

Hundreds of Glasgow’s charity care workers face having their terms and conditions savaged as a result of spending cuts by the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council.

Bosses at The Mungo Foundation have threatened staff with massive cuts to their holidays and sick pay, claiming they have been backed into a corner by funding cuts.

Staff were told today (Wednesday) they will lose eight days holiday a year, while sick pay will be cut by almost half. Staff will also see their pension contributions escalate. UNISON has condemned the move and says it is the first in a line of attacks to Glasgow’s voluntary organisations as a result of spending cuts.

Alice Lyness, a care worker and UNISON steward at The Mungo Foundation, said: “My colleagues and I work with some of the city’s most vulnerable people and we’re committed to providing the first-class service they deserve.

“These cuts are not only having a detrimental impact on jobs and the living standards of voluntary sector staff, but on the people we care for each and every day. This race to the bottom is the wrong approach when we are delivering services to the most vulnerable in our community.”

Deborah Dyer, UNISON’s Regional Organiser, said: “Many of these workers are low-paid and already struggling to make ends meet and are now are faced with paying the price of these damaging cuts.

“We need voluntary organisations to act in a responsible manner, but this must start at the top and it’s time for the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council to put an end to these cuts and to properly fund the care of the city’s most vulnerable people.”

ends

For more information contact: Deborah Dyer, UNISON’s regional organiser, on 07538 101 225

Notes to editors

1.    For more information on the impact of local government cuts please see UNISON’s Public Works blog at: http://publicworksscotland.blogspot.co.uk/

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