Talks will begin next Friday (17th) between Alternative Futures Group and UNISON in a bid to settle the dispute over care workers’ pay.
Over 650 UNISON members employed by the Alternative Futures Group (AFG) are currently on strike because their employer has cut their pay for working sleep-in shifts. This will cost some staff as much as £2,000 per year. The care support workers are only paid at the level of the minimum wage for their regular hours and many are now struggling to stay in the care sector due to not being paid adequately at night.
A strike rally took place at St George’s Hall steps in Liverpool today (Friday) where AFG’s agreement to resume talks was announced.
The rally heard from speakers including UNISON’s general secretary Dave Prentis, and MPs Laura Smith and Alison McGovern.
Tim Ellis, regional organiser for UNISON North West said:
“It is welcome news that we are progressing to serious talks about resolving this matter.
“The strength of support for the strike amongst workers, the public and key politicians can leave AFG in no doubt that there is a tremendous will to improve the treatment of care workers.
“AFG staff do valuable work and they should be paid fairly for all of their time at work.”