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Care home staff stage second walk-out in pay dispute
Sage employees strike for three days and union refuses to rule out further action if dispute is not resolved
February 10, 2021 13:38
Sage employees strike for three days and union refuses to rule out further action if dispute is not resolved
February 10, 2021 13:38Staff at the Sage Nursing Home in Golders Green have held their second strike this year over wage and other demands and the union representing them has not ruled out further action.
The three-day strike last weekend included picket lines outside the home by the group of around 28 carers, cleaners and maintenance workers.
However, there has also been a consultation with Sage representatives.
United Voices of the World spokesperson Molly de Dios told the JC: “We’re waiting to see what they come back with.
“Our members are keen to see what they have to say: If we see there’s concessions and moves to settle the dispute, hopefully further action won’t be necessary.”
According to UVW, pay rates are between £8.72 an hour for domestic staff and £9.60 for some care workers. The demand is for an increase to £12, along with other changes including annual leave equivalent to that enjoyed by NHS staff.
In a previous statement, Sage claimed the home was operating at a monthly loss of £10,000 and implementing the wage demands could force its closure.
The two parties have been going though conciliation service Acas. Ms de Dios claimed Sage had costed “everything at £500,000” but added: “We don’t understand where that half-a-million figure comes from.”
A Sage spokesperson did not respond to a question on costings but confirmed “ongoing dialogue with the union through the good offices of Acas”.
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