More than 100 care workers picketed the offices of a profit-hungry privateer in Yorkshire yesterday as they launched their second week of strike action.

The Doncaster carers and nurses, on strike over vicious pay cuts and an attack on their holidays and sick pay, hit back against Essex firm Care UK.

Until 2013 staff were employed by the NHS on contract to Doncaster Council to provide support for people with learning difficulties and mental health problems, enabling them to maintain an independent life in their own homes.

The NHS provided the service for 68 years.

But as the coalition ploughs on with the dismantling and privatisation of the NHS, Doncaster was forced to put the contract out to tender. The successful - and lowest - bid came from Care UK.

Within weeks the profit-mongering company announced plans to slash wages, axe sick pay and reduce holidays.

But the cuts are reportedly in breach of regulations known as Tupe - Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment - intended to guarantee the pay and conditions of employees whose jobs are transferred from one employer to another.

The members of public-sector union Unison voted to strike.

Initial strike action was undertaken for a week from February 27, but staff began their second week's action yesterday.

Care UK has responded by bringing in scab labour from elsewhere in the organisation, paying to put them up in hotels.

But spirits were high on the picket line yesterday.

Unison steward Lorraine Cottrell is a senior support worker and has been a carer for 24 years.

"Everybody is standing strong," she said. "It's not where we want to be - standing outside picketing Care UK's office in Doncaster.

"But we were paid the right rate for doing the job we do for the NHS. To be three, four, five or six hundred pounds down a month is a bitter pill to swallow."

The strikers have a Facebook site at www.tinyurl.com/p4as58c and have launched a hardship appeal.