Friday 5 May 2023
For immediate release
Westminster City Council adopts UNISON’s ethical care charter to give staff and community a better deal
Westminster City Council is the latest local authority to adopt UNISON’s ethical care charter in a signing ceremony taking place today (Friday).
The charter is being signed by UNISON’s general secretary Christina McAnea and Westminster City Council leader councillor Adam Hug.
The move helps people in the borough who receive home care services as well as the workforce, says the union.
The charter sets minimum standards to protect the dignity and quality of life for people who need home care.
Councils must commit to ensuring care companies give workers enough time for visits, proper training, and a fair wage, so they can provide better quality care for thousands of people relying on the service.
Under the charter, homecare staff must be paid the real living wage (£11.95 an hour in London) and offered fixed hours rather than zero-hours contracts.
UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Westminster City Council is setting a great example in adopting UNISON’s ethical care charter and making this commitment to decent employment conditions for care workers.
“A proper living wage and more secure employment conditions will encourage dedicated, skilled care workers to stay in their jobs and focus on giving the best possible care. It will hopefully encourage more recruits to a sector desperately short of staff.”
Cllr Adam Hug, leader of Westminster City Council, said: “Signing the Ethical Care charter marks an important milestone on Westminster City Council’s journey of improvement in the safety, quality and dignity of care for our residents, which is underpinned by enhancing employment conditions of those who support our elderly and vulnerable across the city.
“We are delighted to join with UNISON in signing the charter and to work with them going forwards as part of our ongoing commitment to building a Westminster that is fairer for both care workers and those they support.”
UNISON Westminster joint branch secretary Neil Humphries said: “It’s great that the council has agreed to sign up to the charter. Hardworking homecare workers, who play such an essential role in the community, will be given the recognition they deserve.”
Notes to editors:
– More information about UNISON’s ethical care charter can be found here.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Emma Davey M: 07432 733187 E: e.davey@unison.co.uk
