A Lanarkshire MSP has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament highlighting the failure of a Wishaw-based care facility to recognise a trade union agreement.
The Active Care Group at the Murdostoun Brain Injury Rehabilitation and Neurological Care Centre in Newmains has officially derecognised GMB Scotland, with the agreement ending on June 30.
Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon lodged the motion at Holyrood last week.
She said: “The fact that there is no longer trade union agreement in place for the staff at Murdostoun is really concerning.
“The Active Care Group has failed to engage with its workers or representatives from GMB Scotland, which is clearly detrimental to the staff and fair work practices.
“I have also learned that union representatives were refused access to the workplace. I have made it clear to Active Care Group that this conduct is unacceptable and have tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament in support of the workers.
“The staff deserve praise for their dedication during the pandemic and all they continue to do to care and support people with complex needs – they most certainly do not deserve the stress of their union being derecognised by their employer.
“Workers’ rights are coming under increasing attack and that’s why we need strong trade unions representing the collective interests of their members.
“The Active Care Group must do the right thing, enter into talks with GMB Scotland and reach a new agreement. Staff at the Murdostoun facility must have their interests effectively represented and the terms and conditions of their contracts protected.”
A spokesperson for Active Care Group said: “We speak to our staff all the time and not one of them has raised this as an issue – so we were surprised to learn of Ms Lennon’s motion because it does not appear to reflect the views of staff.
“We have been conducting regular meetings with the GMB and other union representatives over the past few months since serving notice on the arrangement. Sadly, despite our efforts, GMB representatives failed to attend our last arranged meeting.
“We will continue to engage with the unions where appropriate and colleagues will still be able to be accompanied by a union representative to meetings, just without a formal agreement in place.
“We have adopted a ‘Just Culture’, promoting the importance of trust, listening and accountability across the entire ACG business.
“We value and recognise all our services across the ACG group and have a leadership and governance structure in place to ensure all colleagues, and not just those who are members of a union, have a voice and the opportunity to speak up.”
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