A survey by UNISON North West has found that 8 out of 10 care workers would not receive their full normal pay if they were ill or had to self-isolate or shield because of COVID-19. Some care workers said that because of the lack of occupational sick pay they might have to attend work whilst ill, as they could not afford to live off statutory sick pay (SSP).
The lack of a long-term sustainable Adult Social Care funding model coupled with the devastating effects of Covid-19 have highlighted the dramatic inequality in the care sector, especially the lack security provided by statutory sick pay.
Stockport Labour have worked with Unison to put forward a motion that seeks to support the Unison Care Workers vs COVID-19 campaign and take practical actions to recognise the incredible work of care workers during COVID-19 through commissioning and procurement within Stockport.
Cllr Charlie Stewart, Labour member for Manor ward, said. “While the country has recognised the tremendous work our health and care colleagues have put in during the pandemic, our care workers have been putting in a heroic shift for years under a system that has failed to reward their skill and commitment.”
“Stockport Labour have shown that by placing social value in our commissioning and procurement processes we can make a real difference to our frontline workforce. 84% of care providers now pay the Real Living Wage to care workers since we signed up to Unison’s Ethical Care Charter.
“As we begin to Build Back Better we should be using the influence from our commissioning and procurement powers and work with unions to place people at the heart of our services and tackle inequality.”
The motion is supported by Cllr Laura Clingan, also from Manor ward, who added, “The care workers of Stockport are on the frontline in the struggle against COVID-19. Despite many earning just minimum wage, they’ve put themselves at risk and gone above and beyond to care for our loved ones.
As well as our applause, they need action and support. I’m proud to support UNISON’s Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign and I’m delighted that it’s received support from Councillors across the political spectrum in Stockport.
Care workers need full normal pay if they’re ill or need to isolate due to COVID-19. It’s not just the moral thing to do, it’s the only way to protect the health of care workers, service-users and the residents of Stockport.”
ENDS
Editor Notes:
- The motion, which will be discussed at the full council meeting on 9th July, can be found below.
- The Unison North West survey details can be found here.
- The list of Care Home support offer by Stockport Council during covid-19 can be found here.
- The ONS data referenced within the motion can be found here.
Care Workers vs COVID-19 Motion
This Council commends the incredible work of care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic caring for the most vulnerable people in Stockport.
This Council notes the results of a survey conducted by UNISON North West which found that 8 out of 10 care workers would not receive their full normal pay if they were ill or had to self-isolate or shield because of COVID-19. As a result of the lack of occupational sick pay, some care workers said that they may have to attend work whilst ill as they could not afford to live off statutory sick pay (SSP).
This Council believes that this situation poses a serious public health risk to people that receive care and frontline care workers. Indeed, official figures from the Office for National Statistics show that care workers are twice as likely to die from coronavirus than NHS staff.
This Council acknowledges its responsibility under the Government’s Infection Control Fund to administer the distribution of additional funding to social care providers to reduce the spread of infection, including maintaining normal wages for COVID-19 related absence.
This Council believes that no care worker should have to choose between their own health or hardship. This Council welcomes UNISON North West’s Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign which is calling for care workers to receive the support and resources they need to combat the virus.
This Council notes that 12 local authorities in the North West have already supported the Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign or made similar commitments around maintaining normal pay for all COVID-19 related absence.
This Council also notes that a significant number of individual Councillors from parties across Stockport Council have already supported the pledge.
As a supporter of UNISON’s Ethical Care Charter and founding member of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, this Council undertakes to:
- Formally support and promote UNISON’s Care Workers vs COVID-19 Campaign;
- Put clear systems and requirements in place to ensure that additional funding is used by social care providers to pay care workers their full normal pay for all COVID-19 related absence, including sickness, self-isolation or shielding;
- Write to all current providers of Council-commissioned care services at the earliest opportunity to advise them of this requirement;
- Review procurement and commissioning policies with view to increasing the weighting of social value commissioning and to ensure it includes specific requirements around occupational sick pay.
Moved by: Cllr Charlie Stewart
Seconded by: Cllr Laura Clingan