Dave Honeybone (left) and fellow Care UK strikers at the 2014 TUC congress, photo by Rob Williams (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)
Dave Honeybone, lead Unison steward at Doncaster Care UK, spoke to the Socialist about the latest developments in their pay strike
“We’re now in our third consecutive week of action. At the back end of the second week we had a meeting with the management, and they’ve put a proposal on the table that basically offers new Care UK workers a 2% pay rise starting on 1 October. There is nothing on the table for the TUPE staff who are already working there. They’ve also offered to go to what’s called pending and binding arbitration. Our members meeting on Sunday 14 September will ratify which way we go.
For new staff the offer equates to 14 pence an hour extra. For us – transferred staff – it still represents a 33% pay loss as it stands. We’re looking for a marked rise in that offer and for new staff to get somewhere near the living wage.
We’re resolute, strong and determined to see it through to the end.
Whatever happens with the latest offer, we will start another three week strike in mid-September. That strike will take us to 88 days of action, the longest NHS dispute in recent history.”
Queen guitarist Brian May stops to give his support to Care UK strikers at their protest outside Bridgepoint private equity, photo by Lenny Shail (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)
- Six Care UK strikers attended the TUC conference as visitors. The following day strikers visited London to lobby both Care UK offices and the HQ of its owners Bridgepoint private equity. They also went to Barnet to support fellow care workers who were on their second consecutive day of action against 9.5% pay cuts by employers Your Choice.
- Send messages of support for Care UK strikers to [email protected] and donations to Jenkinson House, White Rose Way, Doncaster DN4 5GJ (cheques made out to ‘Doncaster, District & Bassetlaw Health Branch’).
