by Matt Trinder
Industrial Reporter

STAFF will go on strike at a care home in London this week to demand a living wage.

The three-day walkout of care workers and cleaners, the first at the Sage nursing home in Golders Green, will begin on January 15 after attempts at negotiation failed.  

Staff, who are represented by the United Voices of the World (UVW) union, are demanding £12 per hour in wages, increased sick pay, and more annual leave in line with NHS standards.

UVW executive committee member Molly de Dios Fisher said: “This fight is not only about our brave members at Sage, but also about saying that enough is enough and making sure that all key workers get the dignity and respect they deserve.

“Perhaps [the trustees] have never had to choose between going to work sick or paying the bills, but these brave workers will not sit by and allow the trustees to foist such an unfair decision upon them.”

A Sage Trustees spokesperson said: “Sage runs a single care home which is not operated to generate a profit and it relies upon donations.

“Given its charitable objectives it is disappointing that [the UVW] has chosen to focus a campaign against [us] and not the many other commercial care homes who pay similar rates.

“Like many in the care sector, Sage is battling with the consequences of Covid-19. 

“Against this background, the union is encouraging a series of unrealistic demands which the charity cannot afford and which could, if implemented, lead to the closure of the care home.”

UVW has set up a mass mailing tool for supporters to send the Sage Trustees, which can be found on the union’s website uvwunion.org.uk.