Home care company denies redundancy claims

A council-run home care company has denied claims it is planning to make over 80 staff redundant saying the proposal is “for a reduction in contracted hours and amendments to patterns of working”.

Unison claimed 81 out of 146 home care workers employed by ISSK in Stockport are facing redundancy, alongside 16 clerical staff and 16 managers.

ISSK is a company set up by Stockport Council in 2009.

However Iain Skelton, ISSK business manager, denied this and said: “Individual Solutions SK has not issued any redundancy notices, on 21 August the company formally advised Unison of a 90 day consultation on a series of proposals.

“The intention of the proposals is to reduce unit costs and increase efficiency and productivity. For our Home Support Service the proposal is for a reduction in contracted hours and amendments to patterns of working.

“This is applicable to 83 employees, the stated intention being to lower company costs, not lose jobs. For clerical support posts there is a proposal to amend to patterns of working for 11 employees with no stated intention to make posts redundant. “Within the company management structure there is a reduction in the number of management posts from 15 employees to 11.

“Options for voluntary redundancy and redeployment will be explored with all those affected. The intention being to deliver a more streamlined management structure in support of front line employees.”

Mr Skelton blames the measures on attendance levels in the company which have “seriously affected our ability to provide a cost effective service in a period of sustained austerity”.

He added: “Consultation will also take place on amendments to sickness absence policies and procedures, which allow us to take a fair and consistent approach in maintaining levels of attendance.”

ISSK is part of Solutions SK, which is currently in financial trouble. Unison branch secretary Angela Rayner has been holding meetings with the affected staff and said they are “devastated”.

Ms Rayner said it is “the worst thing I have seen since I have been a trade union official, and I have been one for over 10 years.”

The union is now involved in statutory consultation over the plans, but it is also trying to get the home care service and workers, brought fully back in-house under Stockport Council once more.

She claims ISSK have used the threat of redundancy to attack hours and terms and conditions, telling staff: "If you don't like it, we'll make you redundant."

Stockport Council and ISSK have invested heavily in staff training, so that all home-care workers are assistant practitioners with foundation degrees.

"Some of them have only recently qualified, and now they're being threatened with redundancy to save a few pounds ... but the company would then have to spend money training replacement workers on worse hours and conditions.

"It's a short-term gain for long-term pain. It's madness,” she added.

Councillor David Wilson called the situation “catastrophic” and said: “Home Care Support workers are highly trained and deliver a vital service to many vulnerable residents. They are paying the price for management incompetence. We will do all we can to support the unions in their fight for these jobs and this essential service”.