06.02.13
Unions sign recognition agreement with care provider
Four Seasons Health Care has signed a joint recognition agreement with unions GMB, Unison and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
The agreement will see the organisations work to secure funding to provide “first class care from a committed and fairly rewarded workforce”.
It covers more than 500 care homes, hospitals and specialised care centres, and over 30,000 staff. Four Seasons will now recognise the GMB, RCN and UNISON for negotiation and consultation on a unit by unit basis.
Chief executive of Four Seasons, Pete Calveley said: “We are committed to provide the highest standards of care for our residents and to set the sector bench-mark for quality and value…it is best achieved by having a well trained, stable and highly motivated workforce and good co-operative employee relations.”
Paul Kenny, GMB general secretary, called the agreement a “new dawn” and said Four Seasons was “setting the bench mark for the rest of the industry after a very unsettled few years.”
RCN chief executive & general secretary, Dr Peter Carter, welcomed the agreement and said: “We have always maintained that a partnership between employers and trade unions contributes to a better working environment and benefits everyone with better pay, terms and conditions and improved care and treatment for clients. By working together we have an opportunity to have a stronger voice on professional issues.”
Dave Prentis, Unison general secretary, added: “I am pleased to be able to sign this important agreement which signals a positive commitment to partnership working.”
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