Support Fremantle Care Workers!

The following is from Labourstart ("Where trade unionists start their day on the net") about the Fremantle Care Workers dispute in North London:

On 1 April 2007 Fremantle Trust cut low paid care workers pay by up to 30%. The workers were told -- "accept these terms or be sacked"! The members involved in the dispute provide residential and day care to the elderly and vulnerable residents in Barnet's old peoples' homes, in north London. Fremantle Trust is a not-for-profit company that took over care home contracts five years ago. The cuts include lower wages, increased hours, no sick pay, shorter holidays and reduced payment for working unsocial hours. Even pensions to which contributions have been made during the workers' service are to be dramatically cut by more than one third. In response to these attacks our members voted to take strike action. Care workers need to be properly trained, decently paid and most importantly, valued members of society. This is an all too familiar story of privatisation, where companies pledge to keep delivering the same service but under-cut the in-house provision by attacking the conditions of the workforce. UNISON is asking for the widest possible support for the Fremantle workers. It’s not just about pay and conditions – it's about dignity and respect.

Labourstart has a letter that you can send to the Fremantle Chief Executive supporting the care workers and demanding that she reverse her decision reducing pay and conditions here.