On Thursday July 2nd more than 50 supporters of Leeds Citizens, including members from here at MBC and from Stainbeck URC formed a socially distanced human chain around Sunny View Nursing Home in Beeston as a show of support for care workers to be paid the Real Living Wage after the Covid crisis has revealed the absolute, key importance of these dedicated people.
The Vicar of Beeston and Bishop of Kirkstall together with representatives of the Muslim, Jewish and other Christian communities – plus a number of secular organisations presented gifts to workers from the Home before praying a blessing on all its patients and staff.
The 50 plus attendees then encircled the large building out to the main road. The demonstration was planned to highlight the insecure terms of employment of many care workers on so called “zero hours contracts” which means that they have often have to risk their own and their family’s health by either going into work or not being paid. Sadly, this situation also applies to care workers who care for people in their own homes (this includes some MBC members) who are sometimes only paid for hours of ‘client contact’ and not the travelling time between patients.
Representatives of Leeds City Council were also present at the event and were urged to press for the Living Wage for all Leeds Care Workers.
Please pray that, as the current crisis reduces, we as a nation do not forget those who we have recently applauded on our doorsteps but have taken for granted for far too long.
Thank you, Roger Robson
