CAMPAIGN Race to the bottom


Despair of the carers


When staff need to use the services of the charity they work for, Cameron’s Big Society has clearly failed


Of all the public sector workers facing attacks on jobs, pensions, terms and conditions, those looking after the most vulnerable people in society might be expected to escape the worst excesses of the cuts.


But that’s exactly what is happening to thousands of Unite members employed by charities, shelters, day centres, housing associations and other organisations dealing with social care.


Staff are working longer hours for less pay, under increasing pressure, with an alarming trend of workers being laid off and offered re-employment on worse contracts.


Some workers who help the homeless may soon become homeless themselves, while others are having their standard of living cut to the bone.


Unite has described what is happening as the Race to the bottom and is campaigning to encourage employers, commissioners and trade bodies to sign up to a charter to ensure decent standards.


National officer Sally Kosky said, “Workers looking after the most vulnerable in society, such as the homeless and those with drug, alcohol and other problems, are being hit.


“We are seeing aggressive tactics by


managements, with cuts to frontline services, while at the same time the salaries of top managers are protected.


How much worse can this race to the bottom get? We are in danger of seeing this sector staffed by people on the minimum wage, with no skills or training, with experienced people leaving careers they have built up over many years because they cannot afford to stay.”


Around 20,000 Unite members work in the sector, which has been hit just as hard as any other by the government’s austerity measures. Recent examples include staff who care for men with mental health problems asked to take a 10 per cent pay cut after a five year wage freeze, re- structuring at a homeless shelter leading to staffing reductions, and plans by one charity to sack its entire workforce and offer re-employment on new contracts which could mean cuts in pay and benefits.


Employers repeatedly tell Unite they are forced to compete on cost, cutting pay, staffing levels and training, even though they recognise how services are being affected.


The sector is now being plagued by targets, with many workers said to be in despair, under pressure and worried about losing their job. Volunteers are taking over the work of some full-time staff, and


22 uniteWORKS January/February 2013 BY ALAN JONES


there are increasing concerns about the quality of care given to people in need.


Unite officials believe the situation has worsened since the health and social care bill became law. Nicky Marcus, a London Unite regional officer for housing in London, came up with the Race to the bottom slogan after seeing at first-hand how pay, terms and conditions were being eroded.


She warned that for the first time ever, the housing sector could be hit by widespread industrial action unless the tide is turned. A number of ballots have already been held, while tens of thousands of people have signed an email campaign statement pressing for sector-wide standards.


“Unless we have proper standards, like in other industries, the only possible outcome will be a race to the bottom, with staff paid the minimum wage.”


Nicky said providers used to compete for contracts on quality of service, but now they try to undercut each other purely on cost.


Salaries offered to protect and support staff in housing charities and other organisations have fallen alarmingly, forcing experienced workers to resign. Nicky also warned TUPE regulations aimed at protecting pay if staff switch to another employer, have been breached, with workers re-engaged on


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