Union campaigns for full pay for carers who are sick

U.K.

The UNISON public services union has written to the health minister and launched a campaign calling for full pay for carers who are sick or have to self-isolate in order to stop the spread of COVID-19 in care homes or among those receiving home care. The vast majority of carers are low-paid and get basic sick pay of only £95 a week (EUR 105) which makes it impossible to provide for a family and puts pressure on the carer to stay at work. UNISON has welcomed £600 million (EUR 665m) of extra funding for the sector but is concerned this will end up in the coffers of private care companies with no guarantees that their employees will benefit

UNISON

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Jun. 05, 2020

Health unions ensure workers get full overtime pay

U.K.

Fifteen health trade unions, including six EPSU affiliates, have come together to agree a proposal that will help ensure that all health workers in England are properly compensated for the overtime they work. Measures to ensure proper payment for every hour worked for all NHS staff – including those on higher grades not usually able to claim overtime – is contained in a nine-point blueprint that should be applied at local level. The unions see this as important in guaranteeing that workers are properly rewarded for their extra efforts in responding to the pandemic in advance of the main

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May. 29, 2020

Union demands full transparency on health worker infections

Ireland

The SIPTU health union has reiterated its demand that the government publishes full details of where over 7,600 workers have tested positive for Covid-19. The union says that the data is needed to identify any Covid-19 hotspots and to understand if health workers were exposed due to the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) or poor enforcement of protocols. It will also allow the union to find out how these workers were treated by their employer. SIPTU is also concerned about health workers taken on by employment agencies who are not covered by Covid-19 paid leave or ‘death in service’

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Sep. 10, 2020

Call for living wage and sick pay for childcare workers

Ireland

The SIPTU union has called on the government to set a budget that includes a guaranteed living wage for all childcare workers along with a sick pay scheme. The living wage is €12.30 an hour while the average wage in the sector is €11.46 and the union argues that higher pay will be important in reducing the 40% staff turnover among childcare workers. SIPTU also points out that 79% of childcare workers don't have a sick pay scheme and this is inhibiting the sector's response to ensuring safe workplaces for both workers and children.

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