Norwood Chief Executive Norma Brier said:
“Norwood greatly values its dedicated workforce. Employees are understandably concerned about the proposed restructuring of our adult services. We are doing everything possible to support our staff during this difficult period.
“These proposals are a consequence of national economic events beyond our control, and the subsequent effects upon Norwood of cuts in local authority budgets.
“We deeply regret having to propose reductions in salaries. We have no choice but to bring our historically above average pay rates for frontline staff into line with those of other social care providers. Failure to do so would put at risk the future of Norwood and all the people who depend on us for support.
“Norwood is currently engaged in a consultation process with staff and union representatives and welcomes the opportunity to discuss alternative proposals with all parties.”
Further information
• We are not proposing to stagger our plans because the Government’s four year programme of cuts are weighted to the first year and local authorities have asked for immediate reductions in our fees. We also believe it would be less disruptive to introduce these changes in one go rather than having to put our staff through this process year after year.
• While funding negotiations with local authorities are ongoing, Norwood is preparing for the substantial reductions that local authorities themselves have informed us about.
• We strongly refute the claim that our proposals are ‘unfair and discriminatory’ and object to the inflammatory language used by the Unite union. We expect that the new salaries will be closer to but still higher than those of our main competitors.
• Norwood has agreed to reflect any more positive than expected outcomes of its negotiations with local authorities in the final pay settlement which we expect to be announced in January.
• Norwood already has scheduled meetings with Unite, but would suggest that arrangements are made to meet more often if necessary to expedite this matter and discuss their concerns in a constructive way.
