Quarriers consults staff on pay cut

Quarriers has started a 90-day consultation with workers to discuss proposed alterations to terms of employment in a bid to protect “current service provision and ensure long-term future growth”.

The organisation, which has 100 projects in the UK helping to support and care for adults with a disability and people with epilepsy, said the proposed changes are in direct response to the “unprecedented economic challenges” it faces.

Quarriers, whose main source of funding is councils, said it had undertaken a thorough review of competitor organisations across the UK, “resulting in a clear need” to adjust staff pay-scales and terms and conditions if it is to remain competitive when bidding for new contracts.

Discussions will focus around areas including a pay reduction for all staff, amending the sick pay scheme to no sick pay for the first three days of illness, and maternity, paternity and adoption pay will be reduced to the statutory minimum.

Paul Moore, chief executive of Quarriers, said: “These are very difficult times for the social care sector in Scotland and across the UK. Many organisations are struggling due to the increased financial pressures faced by local authorities, who are their main sources of funding. Quarriers is not immune and the charity has to act now to safeguard staff and the people we care for.

“The proposed changes are designed to protect jobs and services. There is no doubt we, like many others, are facing more challenging times ahead but we are determined to find solutions which will help the organisation to continue to deliver first-class care for some of the most vulnerable people in the country.”

Discussions will also cover the cost of living and incremental pay increases will both become discretionary rather than automatic and employees on the final salary pension scheme to increase contributions by 3%.

Quarriers said the suggested amendments to staff pay and terms of employment would bring the organisation in line with other voluntary sector providers. Mr Moore said: “The proposed changes will allow us to be significantly more competitive when tendering for contracts from local authorities, which will enable the business to grow in the future.”

Founded in 1871 by William Quarrier at Bridge of Weir, just outside Glasgow, Quarriers employs around 2,000 staff and has an annual turnover of £40 million.