Care workers' union stages home protest
A protest was staged outside a care home over workers' rights – with demonstrators wanting funding ensured for employee training programmes.
GMB, the union for workers in the care sector, held a demonstration outside Rushall Care Home to ask staff are given the necessary cash for training and are given the support they need to work.
Protestors held banners reading 'care home attack on trade union' as they took a stand against bosses at Navigation Care, who they claim are refusing to speak with them.
Navigation Care has said it is creating 'a friendly environment in which good care can flourish'. Bosses says only two staff members are from the union.
But Ester Compton, GMB organiser, said: "Navigation Care is not listening.
"If the company thinks that not talking to GMB means we are not going to defend our members' rights and just go away, then they'd better think again. If Rushall doesn't want to do business with GMB in private then we will have to do it in public.
"GMB has always prided itself as working with care providers to help deliver the best quality of care.
"This includes making sure the staff are being taken care of so that they, in turn, can take care of the residents.
"We believe that it is important that we get proper funding into the sector to ensure that staff are supported in a meaningful and safe way."
Navigation Care director Chris Goss said: "Navigation Care has turned around what was a failing business protecting the jobs of the existing 34 staff and creating another 10 jobs for local people.
"At Navigation Care we endeavour to break down the barriers between company and employee and create a friendly environment in which good care can flourish."
