FIFTEEN women workers at the Leonard Cheshire Home for the physically disabled in Liverpool, have been sacked for demanding union recognition.
Liverpool Women's Action Group have been supporting and talking the women involved.
une women had al been recognised mem sers NUPE for over two years, but when they wanted the union to negotiate wages on their behalf they were sacked.
The Home pays between 8lp and 89p an hour with nothing extra for working nignis DETERMINED The women workers now been picketing the home for eight weeks and they are still determined to stick it out.
They face many problems the Home is isolated, tney are few in number, they don't have bast caschience in wace union activity and many of them have big family committments.
Moreover in their "caring" profession they heavy pressure not to cut off have the hospital's supplies.
The Daily Mail in particular has already abusive attack on the women -Cruci te baser they are in dispute.
Their demands unde the Home. launched an even alleging that they were What the Mail and the rest of the press don't see is that it is precisely because the women do care about the patients that include an investigation of the standards of hygiene and medical care in They feel that any existing staff and money. The workers, as well as the patients need recognised rights and decent CONTROL The local authority pays 95 per enome hector maring Home and yet has control over running it or how the money is spent.
The women would like to look into the Home's books.
In the meantime the women are determined to maintain and extend TRem picket while negotiations take place between NUPE BEnG Leonard Cheshire Foundation.
In January their case tor unfair dismissal goes before an Industrial Tribunal. The home being kept by non-unionised WOrKErS ane local volunteers.
Socialist Challenge 4 January 1979 Page 5