Carers in Barnet are poised to strike over cuts to pay being planned by the local authority trading company.
Unison said its members at the north London borough were ‘fighting for their jobs and the future of the service’ after reductions to shift allowances were followed by threats of a 9.5% wage cut.
Care services for disabled adults were transferred to Your Choice Barnet in February 2012, a move the union claims has led to a ‘sharp increase’ in numbers of agency staff and the use of zero hours contracts.
A strike ballot concluded last week received a 100% vote for industrial action. Your Choice Barnet said it was ‘disappointed’ by the result but highlighted ‘less than half the membership’ cast their vote.
Staff and stakeholders were consulted on the proposed pay changes for three months earlier this year. Your Choice Barnet said previous salary levels were ‘not sustainable’.
A meeting between Unison and the local authority trading company is due to take place later this week.
Unison’s general secretary Dave Prentis said: ‘Your Choice Care workers are fighting to preserve a service to some of the most vulnerable people in society and I want express my admiration and solidarity for a brave and principled group of people.
‘Many of our members have said that the 9.5% cut in pay will mean they simply will not be able to pay their bills and some would struggle to keep their homes.’
A spokesperson for Your Choice Barnet said: ‘We hope that any action does not affect our vulnerable service users as well as their parents and carers who rely on the service we provide but are unable to comment further until we have met with Unison.’
