Four Seasons Health Care and UNISON sign joint recognition agreement

UNISON has reached a landmark recognition agreement with Four Seasons Health Care along with the GMB and the Royal College of Nursing.

Four Seasons is the UK’s leading independent provider of health and social care services and the agreement covers more than 500 care homes, hospitals and specialised care centres employing more than 30,000 staff caring for more than 20,000 residents.

This is the first such voluntary joint agreement between a major independent care provider and the three unions. Under the agreement Four Seasons and its specialist care division, The Huntercombe Group, will recognise the joint unions for negotiation and consultation on a unit by unit basis.

Dave Prentis, UNISON general secretary said: “I am pleased to be able to sign this important agreement which signals a positive commitment to partnership working.

“Four Seasons is a major employer across the UK and this agreement is key to boosting good employee relationships and delivering good quality care.”

Chief executive of Four Seasons, Pete Calveley said: “We are committed to provide the highest standards of care for our residents and to set the sector bench-mark for quality and value. We are fully supported by our owners Terra Firma, who share this commitment and understand it is best achieved by having a well trained, stable and highly motivated workforce and good co-operative employee relations. These are the same objectives that our employees and the unions have.”