Barnet Council-owned company faces strike threat

The Barnet Group’s housing and care workers voted to hold a strike ballot after their request for equal terms and conditions to directly-employed council workers was rejected reports Leïla Davaud

“We’ve had enough of being abused,” says Sarah, an employee of The Barnet Group, a private company owned by Barnet Council.

Similar to her colleagues who agreed to testify, Sarah requested that her name be changed to protect her identity. Explaning this decision she adds: “We have been punished for speaking up before. I can’t afford to lose my job.”

Sarah is recounting her story to Barnet Post and Unison representatives as part of a dispute with The Barnet Group, which has rejected its workers’ demands for the same terms and conditions as council workers.

She explains: “Even though the company is owned by the council, we don’t have access to its pension scheme, sickness scheme, grading/pay structure, overtime rates or even the standard council working week.”

Currently, over 1,000 people work for The Barnet Group which includes Barnet Homes, covering housing, and Your Choice Barnet, covering social care with care workers and support workers in supported living, day centres and similar services.

Their grievances are the second major industrial dispute to be reported this week, after Tuesday’s report on workers missing out on 12 years of holiday pay.

John Burgess, Unison Barnet branch secretary, explains: “Our position is clear, Barnet Group workers should not be treated as second-class council workers. We want the national pay award matched, council terms and conditions matched, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.”

Pay and pension claims rejected

Union representatives have been negotiating with The Barnet Group and the council, “but the CEO, Eliott Sweetman immediately rejected our claims,” he explains.

A spokesperson for The Barnet Group confirmed: “The Barnet Group employees are employed on The Barnet Group’s own terms and conditions, which are separate from those of directly employed council staff. As a result, there are some differences across a range of employment provisions, including pension arrangements and other contractual terms and conditions.

“The union submitted a number of claims, including seeking application of the national local government pay award. National pay negotiations between the employers and trade unions are ongoing and the outcome of those negotiations is not yet known. The Barnet Group will consider this year’s pay award once the national negotiations have concluded.

“Other elements of the local claim, including proposals relating to wider terms and conditions and pension arrangements, were considered through the appropriate collective bargaining arrangements but were not agreed following consideration of their financial and operational implications.”

Workers from both Barnet Homes and Your Choice Barnet requested an internal strike ballot. John Burgess says: “It returned a 100% vote for strike action.” The union will now proceed with a full strike ballot.

While the decision to keep Barnet Group employees on separate terms from council workers triggered the action, several Unison representatives say it is only the latest grievance.

Barnet Group worker: “We are paid crumbs as if we were dogs”

Eva, from Your Choice Barnet says: “We are trapped in this company. We are asked to do missions that don’t fit our job description, if we even were given one when we started working.”

A spokesperson for The Barnet Group responds: “All employees are issued with job descriptions that set out the main purpose and responsibilities of their role. While no job description can cover every task that may be required, employees may be asked to undertake additional duties that are appropriate to and commensurate with their role. Job descriptions are reviewed and updated periodically as roles evolve.”

Eva continues: “We are paid crumbs as if we were mere dogs. Some employees need to go to the foodbank to feed their family! And that is because even if we do overtime, weekends or night shifts, we are stuck on a flat rate and don’t even match the minimum wage of council workers.”

Helen Davies, Unison Barnet branch chair, explains: “We get to a point where people ask for 60-hour weeks in order to be able to pay their bills. It is not safe! There is a clear lack of regulation and checks on the management of the company.”

Union chair: “People ask for 60-hours weeks to be able to pay bills”

Hearing this, another worker, Michael adds: “People are struggling with the cost of living crisis. They work hard jobs for the council that not many accept to do nowadays, and they are thanked by being asked to stay silent. Meanwhile employees are getting sicker due to their work conditions. This is not acceptable, it is pure mismanagement!”

Grace at Your Choice Barnet says: “I couldn’t take it anymore. I decided to speak up, not even for me but for the safety of our patients. I was punished for it. Annual leave was rejected, my schedule was often changed overnight. I have been working here for a decade and I was bullied, mocked, and pressured. It is isolating, when you are loyal to your employer, trying to do a good job and are forced to do the opposite.”

A spokesperson for The Barnet Group said the company “takes any allegation of inappropriate management or unfair treatment seriously. We are committed to fostering a culture in which employees feel able to raise concerns, provide feedback, and speak up about issues affecting them and the services they deliver.

“We have a range of formal and informal channels through which employees can raise concerns, including through management, established policies and procedures, and recognised trade unions, and we are committed to addressing any concerns appropriately. We value the contribution of our workforce and remain committed to constructive engagement with employees and recognised trade unions.

“The Barnet Group keeps its reward and employment offer under regular review and offers a competitive pay and benefits package. The Barnet Group remains committed to supporting and engaging constructively with its employees and recognised trade unions.”

Unison is now taking the legal steps needed to hold an official strike ballot in both services. It is expected to begin later this month and run for four to six weeks.

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