Dozens of workers at a council-owned care company in Oldham will go on strike over ‘unfair’ wages and sickpay arrangements next week.
Trade Union Unison confirmed 80 MioCare employees will take to the streets on Monday, September 21. The staff from the ‘extra care’ department provide 24-hour care to vulnerable adults, yet are paid £2.10 less per hour than other parts of the service. Inconsistent sick pay offers also mean that currently some staff are being left with ‘close to nothing’ in the bank during periods of illness or injury.
One employee, who did not wish to be identified, told the LDRS they were left with just £45 in the bank in several months when receiving treatment for a serious condition.
“I had to borrow from relatives and ended up £1,500 in debt, and in arrears for my bills and rent. I couldn’t afford my food shop,” they said. “It was really difficult, just a huge extra stress on top of dealing with my ill health. This is really hard, skilled work, and the way they treat us is disgusting.”
The workers will form picket lines outside six of MioCare’s headquarters across Oldham to demand change.
James Rose, a local organiser for Unison, said: “This isn’t staff asking for a pay rise. They’re asking for pay parity – to be paid the same amount as their colleagues who do a very similar job to them but happen to be under local authority terms and conditions. It’s what they deserve given how hard they work and how much they care about the job.”
MioCare was created by Oldham Council in 2013, and was reported to be in good financial health earlier this year. However, the firm has been asked to cut around £1.4m as part of the council’s 2025/26 budget measures.
Responding to the strike announcement, Adrian McCourt, Interim Managing Director of the MioCare Group said: “Our Extra Care teams make a real difference every day through their dedication, professionalism and compassion, and we greatly value the contribution they make to the people we support.
“This is why we listened carefully to the views of UNISON and our employees and gave their pay claim full consideration. While we understand the reasons behind it, the Board concluded that the proposal is not affordable and could not be sustained in the long term without placing additional pressure on the future delivery of care.
“We are disappointed that industrial action has been announced, but we remain committed to constructive discussions with UNISON to seek a positive way forward.
“Our priority remains the wellbeing of the people we support. Robust plans are in place to maintain safe, high-quality services and minimise disruption for residents and their families.”
