Burnley care workers facing 45% pay cut to stage protest

Staff, employed by Alternative Futures Group (AFG), which provides care for adults with learning disabilities, will hold a demonstration outside the Lancashire County Council building at noon on Friday, April 20th.

AFG provides services on behalf of the county council and 23 other local authorities across the North-West and has been told by health commissioners it must cut its budget by £5.1m.

Workers have shown their opposition by protesting outside AFG’s headquarters in Liverpool and holding a series of meetings with their union UNISON.

Employees said they fear they will not be able to afford to work for the company if their wages are cut.

Lancashire County Council bosses have said the dispute is between the company and its staff.

County Coun. Mike Calvert, Cabinet member for adult and community services, said: “This is a matter between AFG and UNISON and other workforce representatives across North-West England.

“It is simply not appropriate for the county council to be drawn into discussions between other employers and their employees concerning issues of this nature, whether by holding meetings or entering into detailed correspondence about AFG proposals.

“However, I must emphasise that the relative share of county council expenditure on learning disability services in both the current and next financial years will marginally increase.

“This shows our commitment to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities at a time of overall budget reductions.”