Council Care Workers Go On Strike

{mosimage}Hundreds of social care workers in Glasgow are taking strike action in a dispute over pay. The action by almost 600 staff was called when talks between Glasgow City Council and union Unison collapsed.

Council bosses have warned the action could leave vulnerable groups without their usual level of support services.

Among those who could be left without care services while the strike takes place are methadone users, vulnerable offenders and “at risk” children.

{mosimage}Mike Kirby, Unison’s Glasgow convener, said: “These are the staff that work day-to-day to ensure that people get their support to enable them to live full lives. No-one wants a strike in this area, and the council could resolve it tomorrow.”

Unison says as a result of the pay review many workers will be forced to take downgraded jobs, and face cuts in their salaries of up to £1,000 a year.

But a spokesman for Glasgow City Council said the vast majority of social care staff would get a pay increase as a result of the review. Salaries would also be protected until March 2009, he said.

He added it was “extremely worrying” that Unison was “willing to jeopardise the care of some of Glasgow’s most vulnerable people in pursuit of their demands”.