Learning disabilities charity Norwood has denied trade union claims that it broke off negotiations over controversial staff pay cuts after just three minutes.

News of the row emerged on Friday when the Unite trade union issued a statement claiming that the charity’s management refused to negotiate on salary changes that would see some staff lose more than 40 per cent.

It also said that Norwood threatened to sack any staff who refused to sign the new contracts, and called the charity “a renegade employer”.

However, in a counter-statement, Norwood said Unite’s description of the meeting was factually incorrect and that it wants to resume discussions.

“We wish to point out that it was, in fact, the decision of Unite’s regional officer to end talks prematurely, and he chose to leave the meeting, which had been scheduled to last two hours, after approximately three minutes.

“We are also saddened by the inflammatory and unprofessional comments made in Unite’s press release.”

It added that it had already carried out a lengthy consultation and had responded to the union’s concerns by amending its original proposals, changes which Unite had publicly welcomed.

Union campaign escalates

Last November, Unite members staged a protest against pay cuts at the charity’s Ravenswood residence, and Jamie Major, a regional officer at Unite, said the trade union is now collecting signatures from the charity’s 1,000-strong workforce to mount a collective grievance.

“We have been forced to escalate our campaign due to Norwood’s belligerence and I appeal to all stakeholders and donors to the charity to ask some very serious questions about Norwood’s employee relations.

“Staff feel humiliated, upset and angry by the way Norwood is treating them and we are now considering all options, including a consultative ballot for industrial action.”