Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/470/1983
From The Socialist newspaper, 18 January 2007
Re-instate Unique workers!
SACKED WORKERS employed by Unique Care were singing and chanting for justice this week as picket lines began outside the Unique-owned homecare buildings in Huddersfield. This came following the dismissal of 18 employees - all UNISON members - who had walked out of work the previous week.
Ian Slattery
The brave strike action came after a walkout over the sacking of the homecare manager and built-up anger at years of workers feeling harassed, intimidated, bullied and abused.
Unique management had also forced through a new contract two weeks ago, despite the refusal of many to sign it. This contract includes a forced minimum of 20 hours of work a week. Yet, many employees are part-time workers, including some studying for full-time degrees.
UNISON steward Gloria Matheson explained that "prior to Christmas we were short-staffed and under-pressure. The tenants here need full-time care and the work was hard enough without our manager being sacked - she knew information off the top of her head that nobody else does and we can't work without her.
"We met and decided that enough was enough, that we would walk out. Then the management just sent us dismissal letters, they had no intention of negotiating with us."
The homecare manager explained that she knew action was coming against her and that she will fight for her job back, going through the appeal process. However, with the previous disciplinary meeting refusing any witnesses except the company's chief executive, it is clear everyone will have to fight hard for a fair hearing.
Workers call for:
- Immediate re-instatement of sacked workers
- The council to investigative Unique Care's employment practices
- The strike will continue until justice is served, please show your support and solidarity to this courageous campaign.
Protests can be sent to: Unique Care, 29 St Johns Road, Huddersfield, HD1 HDX, tel: 01484 223003. Copies to Ian Slattery: iaan666@hotmail.com
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In The Socialist 18 January 2007:
Labour ministers make us sick!
Keep up the pressure for 3 March demo
Socialist Students
Anger against top-up fees grows
War and terrorism
Iraq: Bush continues his dangerous blunder
Blair's vision: 'wars without end'
International socialist news and analysis
"We're moving towards a socialist republic of Venezuela" - Hugo Chávez
Sri Lanka: Urgent action needed
Fighting for a socialist world
Socialist Party news and analysis
Interest rate hike pushes up costs
What's behind the school leaving proposals?
Campaign for a new workers' party
Socialist Party workplace news
Fight the government's sell-off plans
Strike ballot put on hold once again
'Single status' battle in Manchester
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