Staff at the council-owned company which runs Dorset’s social care are to be briefed on what union leaders call “a series of threats” to their employment.

Tricuro, which delivers services for Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset County councils, has summoned the affected staff to a meeting today. In 2016, Tricuro slashed bonus payments for low-paid staff who work weekends and bank holidays – despite previous assurances that their terms and conditions would be preserved for at least five years after they were transferred from council employment.

The moves were said to have cost the lowest-paid workers up to £2,600 a year. A letter from Unison to its members tells them that “you now face a further series of threats to your employment from Tricuro, the first of which is formal launch of consultation on Monday January 8”.

It adds: “This consultation affects a number of Tricuro teams, workplaces and workers. Those affected will have received a letter from Tricuro inviting them to a ‘special team meeting’. It is important that all affected Unison members attend those meetings and stay for the trades union meeting that will follow. You will have the opportunity to speak directly with your representatives to be briefed and brief us on your thoughts. Make your voice heard!

“It is also important you all, currently in scope or not, get involved because we are aware there are further changes to follow. Do get involved because it is clear that the local authorities will continue to cut the funding to Tricuro and whilst only some of your colleagues are directly affected now, these damaging cuts will have an impact on everyone in Tricuro over the coming months.

“Unison members need to continue to stand together if we are to effectively challenge further poor decisions by Tricuro.”

Tricuro was set up following a council decision in 2014 and took over the delivery of adult social care in July 2015. It runs care homes, home care and day centres. It was the first jointly-owned local authority trading company in adult social care.