Union anger as care wardens for the elderly face jobs axe

The GMB union is protesting after the authority stopped the regular visits made by wardens to the homes of 13,000 vulnerable and elderly people to check their "Telecare" equipment is working.

East Riding Council says the equipment can be remotely tested, and those who feel they are missing out on a visit will be able to sign up to a "befriending" service instead.

There will be job losses, but the authority will not know how many until a review has been carried out. However the GMB has lodged a grievance with the council, saying there has been no consultation.

Regional organiser Rachelle Wilkins said "The proposals reek of David Cameron's Big Society plans of using volunteers at the expense of cutting decent, caring working class people's jobs.

"Wardens believe that the reduction in the service will have a massive detrimental effect on the vulnerable and elderly service users within the community and will also put a further strain on emergency services that are already overstretched to the limit.

"Not only did East Riding Council fail to consult with the

GMB, but they have already removed the wardens from community schemes and stopped

all visits."

However East Riding Council said only monthly maintenance visits would be affected. A spokeswoman said: "This is not about cuts. It's about advances in technology."

A statement added: "We are aware that some people will miss the social contact aspect of someone coming to check the equipment and we will be offering

them the opportunity to be referred to Age UK or other

befriending service providers when we visit current customers to discuss whether they wish

to remain on their current service level or wish to take advantage

of one of the two new services available."

The situation for people in sheltered accommodation and those in Bridlington who get weekly visits will not change.

However campaigner Mick Pilling has collected around

300 names on a petition against the cuts.

He said: "If the wardens service ceases we will be going backwards rather than forwards."