Care workers' win threatens homes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Women care workers have won an industrial tribunal victory - but it could lead to the loss of hundreds of jobs and the closure of 18 residential homes, it was feared yesterday.
More than 600 care workers were dismissed and re-hired on lower pay after the Cornwall County Council-run homes were transferred last April to the Cornwall Care Ltd charity.
Cornwall Care dismissed the workers from their original contracts last September, re-hiring them on new ones. But 249 went to an industrial tribunal in Truro and successfully claimed unfair dismissal.
It is understood that all the care workers employed at the homes will be in line for back pay and the 249 applicants are also in line for compensation.
Chief executive of Cornwall Care, James Robinson, said it faced a "dire situation". The tribunal decision could cause the company to fail "in a comparatively short space of time".
If it could not carry on, the homes must close and the 600 residents would have to be found alternative accommodation, he said. "We are hoping some common sense will prevail from the union," said Mr Robinson, adding that the company board would be meeting as a matter of urgency.
The company was now saying the union should find ways of saving jobs, not destroying them, he said. Unison regional officer Stuart Roden said it was "delighted" by the decision, adding that the workers had been "put through hell".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments