Care UK workers continue dispute


Alistair Tice

The inspiring Doncaster Care UK workers, having taken 34 days of strike action against pay cuts and NHS privatisation, voted at the end of their last strike on 18 May to take another 14 days of action in June.

But now into their fourth month of industrial action, under the anti-trade union laws, their legal immunity from dismissal expired after 12 weeks.

Given the “un-caring” nature of their employers, workers were worried that they could all be sacked without any legal redress.

So the 80-odd strikers, who remain absolutely solid, are re-balloting to declare a new trade dispute against the dismissal notices they have been sent for refusing to sign up to the new contracts.

In the words of their strike song: “Care UK, you’re a farce. Stick your contracts, up your arse!”

Strike committee members continue to speak all over the country with donations still pouring in, but understandably the workers are frustrated at having to jump through hoops to continue the dispute.

Half a dozen strikers will attend the Unison national conference, where they will welcome the union’s continued support but press for the union to lead a national campaign against Care UK with protests, demonstrations and a unionisation drive.

This way, a famous victory can be won that will start to turn the tide against the race to the bottom and the privatisation of the NHS.