UNISON & Quarriers Joint Statement

30th September 2016

Dear Colleagues,

Quarriers Executive would firstly like to thank each and every one of you for your continued hard work and commitment to Quarriers and the people we support during the past year. We recognise and greatly appreciate the skill, compassion and dedication with which you approach your role on a daily basis.

You will recall that last year Quarriers was able to implement a pay rise for front line support workers for the first time in a number of years.  As part of this award we undertook to transition towards becoming compliant with the Scottish Living Wage at the prevailing rate by 2017, or earlier if financially achievable. We are aware from listening to your views via staff surveys, through your line managers and indeed first-hand when members of the Executive team and UNISON visit services, that pay continues to be a significant issue for many of our employees.

UNISON has been instrumental in negotiating nationally to have the Scottish Living Wage paid to all front line social care workers. The announcement by the Scottish Government in February is a direct consequence of UNISON’s efforts and as a result, care workers delivering social care services to vulnerable adults will be paid the Scottish Living Wage of £8.25 per hour effective from 1 October 2016.

We are therefore delighted to inform you that Quarriers has taken the decision to pay all our staff who are currently paid below the Scottish Living Wage, a new rate of £8.25 per hour with effect from 1 October 2016. This will apply to all staff nationwide in all services and departments.

At present, negotiations are on-going at Scottish Government level and Quarriers is awaiting detailed clarification on the position regarding sleepovers. Please note that sleepovers will continue to be paid at a rate that meets National Living Wage (NLW) average pay over all hours worked requirements (£7.20 per hour) i.e. top up to NLW.  There will be a review of sleepover payments once more clarity is available regarding how these will be funded.

Both Quarriers and UNISON have not yet concluded negotiations in relation to UNISON’s 2016 pay claim.

Finally, Quarriers Executive  would again like to thank you for all your hard work and commitment to supporting the vulnerable people who access our services and in providing the high quality of care and support that you deliver.

Yours sincerely

Alice Harper

Chief Executive Officer, Quarriers

Robin Taggart

Branch Secretary, Inverclyde UNISON Branch