Unite Gibraltar must be the only union in Europe that complain, when a government issues vacancies for public sector workers. It is insulting, when in other parts of Europe, governments have imposed austerity, wage freezes and holds on recruitment.

It is highly unsatisfactory, and not at all conducive to productive relationships based on trust, that Unite’s only attempt to communicate with the Chief Executive of the Care Agency occurred at around 10.30 yesterday morning, statement adds. Although the Chief Executive contacted Unite to seek clarification on the reasons for the planned demonstration, and invited Unite to meet to discuss the issue, she was informed that the demonstration was going ahead in any event.

From what HMGoG and the Care Agency have gathered through the piecing of various email correspondence, the issue appears to result from the Care Agency’s notification to employees that it would seek to re-deploy various Dr. Giraldi Care Workers from one Care Agency premises to another. This exercise, which has been carefully planned over a number of weeks, was communicated to staff and Unite yesterday. It was also explained to staff these changes would be occurring in two weeks’ time, thereby affording affected staff members ample notice.

The Chief Executive has explained that the service-users’ needs are always paramount and that the movement of care workers was minimal. The movement of workers is common and what is not usual is that a service-user remains with the same care-team throughout their life in care. Movement allows for new energy, ideas, and growth, both for the carer and service-user; additionally, this may also alleviate any burn-out a carer may feel.

"Most worrying of all, the venue of the demonstration has not been considered in terms of how it may impact on the residents and their families," the Govt ends.

22-02-19 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR