Crisis Talks Bid To End City’s Social Care Strike

Frantic attempts are being made to halt a strike by hundreds of Glasgow social care workers. Crisis talks were being held today between strike leaders and council chiefs who are pledging to put more cash on the table in a bid to end the strike.

{mosimage}The breakthrough comes 48hrs after more than half of the city’s 600 social care workers began an indefinite strike and will see the creation of a new job title with more pay. The move comes as letters from Glasgow City Council dropped through the doors of all 5600 staff from the social work department.

The letter quotes Depute Director Social Work Services Rab Murray as saying he believes the strike to be “unnecessary and premature”. He adds: “It is important you have the facts so you can understand the current strike and decide whether to support it.”

The workers are furious with the outcome of a pay and benefits review which has seen them put into a new grade which they claim lowers their maximum earning potential by between £1000 and £5000. Council bosses claim that 367 staff have been given a wage rise but admit they have had to protect the pay of another 247 workers until March, 2009, as they stand to lose up to £1003 a year.

The city council knows the dispute is likely to escalate if a deal can’t be thrashed out quickly. Strike leaders with Unison are currently balloting 1000 social workers and practice team leaders. Unison is confident most of their balloted members will vote to join the dispute.

The new plans to end the action would see the creation of a new post of social care officer – and officers will be given their own grade which would allow them to earn more than they face losing.

Mr Murray said: “This proposal is aimed specifically, although not exclusively, at the group in detriment who will tend to have or be close to achieving the required level of qualification.” But the new post would not be filled by all those who face a pay cut.

A council spokesman said: “We’re meeting today with Unison and we are confident a solution can be found.”

A Unison spokesman confirmed: “There are talks being held today. We want to try to get a resolution.”