THE GMB union has highlighted the legal rights of care and support staff at the stricken Southern Cross.
The care homes provider announced an agreement this week to secure the care of its 31,000 residents in a bid to allay fears that elderly residents may suffer after news that it plans to cut 3,000 jobs.
The company, which runs 752 care homes across the UK including in York and North Yorkshire, said it was working towards a solution to its financial woes. However, it is expected many of its 80 landlords will withdraw their homes from the group in the coming months to run them independently.
A company spokesman said: “Southern Cross, its lenders and the Southern Cross Landlords’ Committee reached an agreement to ensure the continuity and quality of care to all 31,000 residents will be maintained and that every resident will continue to be well looked after.”
The union has written to landlords, stressing staff should be consulted before any transfer of jobs to a new provider and are protected from attempts to force cuts in terms and conditions prior to the transfer.
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