Plymouth care workers set to strike for the first time

Essential care workers at Plymouth council are to take strike action for the first time, trade union Unite has said. Workers at Independenece @ Home (I@H) provide support and care across the city for vulnerable adults at all times of day and night.

They care for adults with mental health issues, substance addictions and terminal illnesses. Since care services were brought back under council control in 2019, it has operated a “shortfall shift” system. According to the union, management within I@H monitor and record the ‘downtime’ between home visits.

Plymouth City Council says it is "working hard to seek to resolve the dispute and minimise the impact of the strike on people who are currently accessing the service" and is "disappointed that it has reached this stage, given the dispute is linked to contractual arrangements following staff consultation around five years ago".

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This is an outrageous way to treat vital staff who do some of the most essential yet difficult work imaginable – caring for the most vulnerable in our society. Plymouth council is treating them appallingly by expecting them to work for free to make up ‘lost time’. This clearly isn’t free time as care workers remain on duty.

“Our members will no longer accept such practices and have the full backing of Unite as they take to the picket line next week.”

Unite says it believes that these carers are due financial compensation for the hours they have worked. Unite has estimated that the total value of the financial detriment experienced could be in the region of £250,000.

Nearly 50 care workers will be taking strike action from Monday, November 25, through to and including Sunday, December 1 and again on Monday, December 23, through to and including Sunday, December 29. There will be a picket line at the council offices on West Hoe Road and there will also be a demonstration that will take place outside the Council House adjacent to the Civic Centre to coincide with a full council meeting scheduled for 1pm on Monday, November 25.

Unite regional officer Joseph Murphy added: “The actions of Plymouth council over the last six months have been extremely disappointing and the failure to properly engage with Unite and make any offer to settle this dispute is a deliberate decision that has caused a great deal of distress to the membership.

"Our members have an unselfish instinct is to care, and for them to be put in the position where they have to strike to be heard and respected is simply unacceptable. They have worked a huge number of hours for nothing. Senior management within Plymouth council are fully aware of this. Its time the council pays what it owes.”

A Plymouth City Council spokesperson said: “Due to a dispute over contractual arrangements (which are no longer in place), we are aware that a number of staff members are likely to take part in industrial action next week.

“This affects our reablement service, Independence @ Home, which helps people who need extra support when returning home after a stay in hospital.

"We are working hard to seek to resolve the dispute and minimise the impact of the strike on people who are currently accessing the service. If you or a family member is likely to be affected and you have any concerns or questions, please get in touch with us directly.

“We are disappointed that it has reached this stage given the dispute is linked to contractual arrangements following staff consultation around five years ago. We are in ongoing discussions with the union to try to find a resolution as swiftly as possible.”

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