The answer is ‘no’ to the questions about these workers’ back pay

Mar 19 2008 by Andrew Flynn, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

WE read in your paper that part-time women workers, viz, cleaners, kitchen assistants and home carers are in line for a “back payment of up to £35,000” (Examiner March 10). This begs the question; for what?

Have they had to work for the minimum wage? No. Have they had to work longer hours without pay? No. Have they had to undertake more tasks for the same pay? No.

Have they had to relinquish several days of their paid holidays per year? No. Have their huge amounts of paid sick days been reduced? No. Have their compassionate paid days been reduced? No.

Have they had to study for many, many hours in their own time over the last few years for no extra pay and then sit rigorous academic examinations? No. Have many been dissatisfied and managed to obtain a higher salary within a different company? No.

It appears it has been decided that they work in comparable posts to refuse collectors and gardeners!

They should not receive any back pay. They have already received their own bonuses and had between £7,000 and £14,000 each very recently.

It is particularly galling that these people are receiving all this money for no extra work or responsibilities (quite often less work) while the old, ill/housebound are expected to pay a fortune for very poor-quality care.

It seems that this Government has sent extra money to councils. Surely this money should, first and foremost, go to the old/infirm to enable them to not only receive a decent package of home care, but also, a free package.

D HIRST

Holmfirth