Unios come together as four care homes are set to be privatised by the council
A campaign to stop the privatisation of social care services in West Lothian is to be launched next week.
The move comes as it was revealed that the West Lothian Integrated Joint Board is considering privatising four care homes for the elderly, outsourcing services at two homes for adults with a learning disability and outsourcing almost all care at home services.
West Lothian has the fastest growing elderly population in Scotland with an expected rise of 44% in the number of pensioners living in the country over the next 25 years. This means there will be more demand on social care services.
The trade unions GMB, Unison and Unite who represent social care staff have joined forces to oppose the privatisation plans.
Stevie Dunn of Unison said: "The Council's own report recognises the recruitment crisis in the private sector is at a critical level, and that this is greatest in care for the elderly. The council's risk register for adult social care is at red. Against this background it is illogical, irrational and downright dangerous to even consider adding more demand to a sector that already cannot cope. These homes are all rated 'good' or 'very good' by the care inspectorate, care facilities like this are run for public good not private profit, we need more of them, not fewer."
Tom Carr Pollock of the GMB added: "These are not just care facilities, they are the home of some of our most vulnerable citizens, they and their families will be really worried by the IJB's plan. We cannot allow good quality care services to be flogged off to the private sector where the pay and conditions of social care staff is much poorer impacting negatively on the ability to retain staff; this ultimately affects the quality of care provided."
Pat Tedford of Unite the union said: "West Lothian Councillors must oppose this appalling plan to privatise care homes and the jobs that support them. These proposals will impact most on female workers as 95% of social care posts are taken up by women. The joint trade unions will be mounting a sustained and determined campaign to end this madness. We urge all members of the public to get behind the campaign."
A public meeting to launch a campaign of opposition to care home privatisation will be held at West Calder High School on Tuesday May 9th at 7pm. All are welcome.
