More than 150 Yorkshire care workers are to begin a week-long strike on 27th February over savage attacks on their pay, including axing sick pay, holiday time and weekend and night work bonuses.
Care UK took over services last year to provide care for vulnerable people in their own homes and group homes in Doncaster.
The service was part of the NHS, but Care UK undercut the NHS to win the contract last September. The NHS staff, who care for elderly people suffering dementia, were TUPE transferred to Care UK.
Now the firm wants to axe pay for evening and weekend work, which will leave workers thousands of pounds a year worse off. The company also wants to slash sick pay and holiday entitlement.
Staff voted overwhelmingly for industrial action.
But the company plans to ship in workers to undermine the strike, including managers, and put them up in hotels.
UNISON regional organiser Jim Bell accused Care UK of “an indefensible attack” on its staff.
He said: “Pay cuts of this size will force our members to lose their homes.
“The service users our members care for are among the most vulnerable in society and our members provide them and their families with vital, skilled care to help them live decent lives.
“Our members do not take industrial action lightly but their homes would be at risk if their pay is slashed in this way.
“Despite our attempts to resolve the dispute, Care UK has not shifted its position. We have been forced into an impossible situation where our only option is to go on strike.”