1. Skills for Strength 2016 Organising in Four Seasons
Bev Craig, Assistant National Officer,
National Strategic Organising Unit
Ann Kerrigan – UNISON North West

2. Changing Public Sector:
More than ¼ of new UNISON recruits come from outside the directly employed public sector
More than 1 million people work in the care industry
Over 600,00 more care workers in next 5 years
90% care homes owned by private or voluntary sector

3. Who are Four Seasons? Largest private care provider in the UK
Over 400 care homes and 58 specialist centres
Over 30,000 staff and 20,000 residents
Bought by private equity firm Terra Firma 2012
2014: Divided into 3 sections; Four Seasons; Brighterkind and Huntercombe
2015: Announced increasing debt and home sales

4. 2013: Recognition Deal with Four Seasons
2013: National Executive Committee set Project targets
Aim: Over 40% membership in each home
Aim: At least 1 activist per home
: Four Seasons Activists part of national negotiations
2016: Nationally over 3700 members and 100 activists
North West:
11 care homes
Almost 400 members
12 Stewards and Health and Safety Reps

5. Negotiating with FSHC

6. An Organising Union INVOLVE members RECRUITS, TRAINS, SUPPORTS
Key principles:
INVOLVE members
RECRUITS, TRAINS, SUPPORTS
‘WHAT CAN WE DO?’ approach
RESOLVES problem
BUILDS confidence
REACHES OUT and INSPIRES
FEELING good
COLLECTIVE action
LEGACY

7. Organising around an issue
NOT something major that you have no control over
Something that you (and your work colleagues) can do something about
Something that is relevant to quite a few people
Something that your work colleagues care enough about to get
involved
Something that fits in with other UNISON campaigns, aims and objectives

8. Activity:
In groups discuss an issue that you are facing, this could be in work, outside of work or a general issue that you feel strongly about.
What would a potential campaign look like?

10. Discussion: What can we do better to support members?
How can workers in Four Seasons and the wider care sector be more involved in the union?
What can we do better to support members?
How can we help you lead and organise in the workplace?

11. Thank you for taking part