Care workers in Wales win 15% increase and Foundation Living Wage

After months of campaigning, support workers in Wales have secured a 15% pay increase and the Foundation Living Wage. In April 2022, the Welsh Government made £48m available to social care providers to fund an uplift to the Foundation Living Wage for registered care workers in Wales, which is now £10.90. However, months went by and carers working for Integra Community Living Options did not see any extra money in their pay packets. Union members approached the Cardiff County UNISON Branch about the issue, who enlisted the support of the region and the union’s strategic organising unit (SOU), and set about campaigning. After four months of collective action, support workers received a significant victory on 21st April 2023, with £780 back pay going to every support worker to cover the wage increase. UNISON kept the pressure up and on the 21st May 2023, support workers were paid the 2023/24 uplift. These two payments have resulted in a 15% increase overall. UNISON member Hannah*, who is a support worker, describes the impact of the wage increase and back pay: “I’ve managed to get back on top of my bills. Working for such low pay is difficult and having to put more hours in and then feeling burnt out afterwards is not nice. I’m grateful for the help UNISON has given”. According to UNISON organiser Kalvinder Tiwana, “This victory has been achieved by taking an organising approach and building power in the workplace. Four months of escalating actions by these membe...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: News care Cymru Wales cymru/wales low-paid social care Source Type: news