FURIOUS workers at a Coventry care home set to strike have claimed a popular local carer was sacked after raising concerns about the way hospital patients were being referred to the care home.
GMB union has today announced its workers at Victoria Park care home have voted to back strike action.
Union bosses said 100 per cent of its care home staff voted to support the walkout, which will take place on Wednesday, January 24.
Workers are calling for the reinstatement of their colleague, who they claim was sacked after raising concerns about the way hospital patients were being referred to the care home.
Kate Gorton, GMB Organiser, said: “Workers are furious after bosses sacked a care worker after raising concerns about external referrals being made to the home.
“The staff have worked hard to achieve a top rating for Victoria Park and deserve to be paid and treated better.
“For 12 months, care home operators HC-One top brass have stubbornly refused to listen to the concerns of our members.
“Now this result shows the depth of workers anger at the way they’ve been treated.
“HC-One have a clear choice in front of them; face weeks of strike chaos or do the right thing by care workers, residents and families”.
A spokesperson for Victoria Park said: “We will never penalise a colleague for raising concerns and will always take action if needed to improve our policies or practice.
“The change in leadership at the home was subject to a full and thorough HR process and was completed in line with our performance policy.
“We hold all our colleagues and leaders to the highest standards of professionalism and leadership, and will always act in the best interests of our residents.
“Independently of this, several months later, colleagues shared feedback with us regarding the number of beds available in the home for those leaving hospital. We took immediate action to resolve this matter in partnership with the local authority and our home team.
“Changes were communicated to all colleagues along with details of our thorough escalation and feedback processes. We have not been made aware of any further concerns.
“In the event of any strike action, we have provisions in place to ensure that the quality and continuity of care we provide to residents is not disrupted. We continue to engage with our GMB partners and colleagues and hope to reach a swift resolution.”
