Aberdeenshire UNISON urges home care members to tell it like it is at council meetings

Aberdeenshire UNISON is urging all our Home Care members to get along to the council's meetings, which have been set up in response to serious concerns from UNISON members and others that the new Buddy phone is not fit for purpose and could put vulnerable clients at risk.

See dates and times of meetings below.

These meetings will take place around Aberdeenshire in March and April. UNISON will be in attendance at all these meetings. The Branch has already raised a number of our members' issues with Home Care management and has issued a survey to all our members asking for their views on a range of terms and conditions matters including the Buddy.

If you have a survey that you have not yet completed, please do so and send it back to the branch in the freepost envelope you were sent out with the survey, as we need this as evidence to take to our employer.

Betty Lyon

Betty Lyon, UNISON Area Organiser said, "Please come along to these meetings as this is your opportunity to let your employer know how this buddy system is affecting you and your clients, as well as the many other concerns which you have shared with UNISON.

She added, "Don't worry about speaking to your trade union about the issues you have with the “Buddy” or your other concerns. As a UNISON member, you have a protected legal right to speak to your trade union and you are under no obligation to speak to your employer first before speaking to a trade union representative."

Click here for further information on your rights as a trade union member

Meeting Dates

• Tuesday 24 March Dawson Court, Turriff
• Friday 27 March Burnett Arms Hotel, Banchory
• Thursday 2 April Huntly Town Hall
• Tuesday 7 April Ellon, Kirk Centre, Uper Room
• Wednesday 8 April Inverurie Town Hall (main hall)
• Thursday 9 April Portlethen Family Centre
• Wednesday 15 April Peterhead Rescue Hall
• Thursday 16 April Aboyne Victory Hall
• Friday 17 April Fraserburgh Old Parish Church Centre (Conference Room)
• Tuesday 21 April Laurencekirk Hall
• Wednesday 22 April Macduff Town Hall

Kate Ramsden

Kate Ramsden, Branch Chair said, "The Branch has already raised all our members' concerns with management in an informal meeting. As a result, further training on the Buddy was set up for Home Care staff.

"However our members tell us that this wasn't as good as they had hoped, and there was only limited opportunity to get their questions answered.

"Management has confirmed that all home carers should be able to get a print-out of hours worked. We are encouraging members to ask their CTCs for this and to let us know if they can't get a copy.

"We are also pushing for home carers to be paid for their full shifts rather than for their visits to clients. This would resolve many of our members' concerns."

Please feel free to contact UNISON if you require further information on 01224 620624