“Exhausted” Salford care workers could continue strike action for months unless improvements are made, a trade union said.
Unison members at two of the borough’s care homes voted to strike in August, after a dispute with their employer Park Homes over pay and conditions.
Park Homes manages the council-owned Pemberton Fold and Heartly Green residential facilities, but workers have told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that they are overstretched due to problems with staffing levels.
Company rotas, seen by the LDRS, appear to show team leaders are regularly being asked to work alone during nights, responsible for other members of staff and up to 60 residents at each home according to Care Quality Commission reports.
Workers are also calling for a pay hike, up from the current amount of £13 an hour for team leaders and £12 an hour for most other staff.
“They’re leaving one team leader to look after the whole building, we’re exhausted,” said Sarah Green, 40, one of those working for Park Homes. “How do they expect us to do it when they’ve not got enough staff?”
Two strikes have been held so far, but Unison said it has a mandate to continue industrial action for up to six months unless an agreement is reached. Park Homes staff members told the LDRS that they have reported their concerns to the company, but they claimed it is not listening to them.
Sherry Barry, 47, a support worker, said: “We have told Park Homes about the problems but they don’t listen. It’s been a problem over the last three years. I used to love coming to work, but now I don’t know what I’m coming to. There’s no morale.”
Joan Keegan, 59, a housekeeper, added: “All of us work really hard, it’s not just about pay, it’s about the conditions. They’ve got no respect for us.”
Park Homes UK said it is committed to resolving concerns from its workers, and that staff levels are in line with residents’ needs.
But Unison president Steve North claimed the workers are not being treated fairly. He added: “They’re not paid as much as they should be paid, and as much as the company can afford to pay them, they’re not treated properly as staff.
“But their principal concern is the impact that has on the people they care for. They are very proud of what they do, and this company has been exploiting their goodwill towards residents for too long.
“It can’t carry on like this, the workers have had enough.”
Salford councillors John Walsh, Teresa Pepper, and Barbara Bentham supported workers on the picket line outside Heartly Green care home during strike action on October 22.
Coun Walsh said: “The main issue is not pay, it’s conditions under which Park Homes are running this home. They are understaffed, particularly at night, and they sometimes have one person who looks after four blocks.”
Salford deputy mayor John Merry has called for Unison and Park Homes to sit down and figure out a way forward. The council has a legal duty to make sure care continues at the homes while strike action takes place.
Coun Merry said: “Salford City Council can confirm that care and support for people in the homes will be maintained. I am disappointed that further discussions have not taken part between Park Homes and Unison, following an initial meeting at Salford City Council on 20 September.
“I have written to Park Homes to express my concerns and encourage Park Homes to speak to Unison and find a positive resolution to the issues raised by staff.”
Park Homes said they have responded to Coun Merry’s letter.
A company spokesperson added: “We recognise that a small number of colleagues have concerns and are committed to working through these issues.
“We strive to provide high quality, compassionate and personalised care to all our residents and would like to stress that our staffing levels are reflective of the needs of our residents.
“We are committed to working with all interested parties to ensure that people who live with us are well cared for by a dedicated and committed group of colleagues who put residents and their families at the heart of everything they do.”
