Compensation for care workers in dispute

A tribunal hearing in Essex has granted compensation to 115 care workers after it ruled that they were unfairly dismissed from their jobs.

The dispute began when care provider Excelcare took over the running of 10 care homes in the county. As running costs were higher than anticipated it imposed pay cuts on 40% of staff. It then took the measure of putting in place new contracts for staff, saying it was an alternative to closing the homes, but when the employees refused the new contract offers they were dismissed by the company.

The tribunal heard in the employees favour and they will receive compensation payouts ranging from £1,000 to £300,000. Anne Vinden, from the Unite union, said: “I feel very pleased on behalf of this group, because they are low-paid members who work incredibly hard. I think they deserve to be treated legally and properly.”

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