Hundreds of workers strike at care company

Over 100 staff at Future Directions CIC Company, a social care community interest company in Rochdale, went on strike for five days last week.

Staff refused to work after new terms and conditions were imposed in regards to pay and conditions by the organisation after it won a new supported living services contract with Rochdale Council.

The strike began at 8.00am on Sunday 25 August and follows 14 days of strike action previously taken by staff.

This is the fifth time that union members have gone on strike regarding the issue. Unison claims that the company is trying to grow its business at the expense of its workers and that many employees are losing more than £500 a month. It is also suggested that four out of five people affected are women who mostly work part time.

When asked about the amount of money staff are losing, Managing Director of Future Directions, Paula Braynion said: “This may be the case in some instances but it’s disappointing that generalisations like this are being made when we have already recruited dedicated workers under the terms and conditions which the market currently allows for. Despite major changes to the market and the inevitable effects of the wider economic landscape, we are able to offer employment to these staff, as well as continuing to support their valuable local government and NHS pensions. “

Future Directions is a company owned by Calderstones NHS trust and is a community interest company which provides social care for people with learning difficulties and complex issues throughout Rochdale and Trafford.

Paula Braynion, continued: “Future Directions has made its case clearly and fairly and indeed new staff are signed up to the new terms and conditions. We have been able to offer to protect existing staff’s local government and NHS pensions which is a significant positive that we are in a unique position to facilitate.

"Our organisation is different from much of the private sector in that as a community interest company we are placed to manage this contract without making any profit. These facts have not changed throughout the dispute.

“Our workforce is vital to our desire to provide state of the art services to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. We have a duty to our board to seek out new business and develop as a new organisation, and we do so with partners such as local authorities. But we can only pay staff on the basis of what incomes we have.

“Senior staff have met with the union on several occasions and we are disappointed that strikes are being called whilst discussions are continuing. There is simply no more money but Future Directions remains keen to offer local employment in a community interest company which is dedicated to supporting people with very challenging needs.”