Care workers in Glasgow City Council's care homes go on strike

Care workers employed by Glasgow City Council have been staging a two-day strike.

It is the second strike action taken by care workers in Glasgow in response to what Unison says is a council decision to bring in new job roles, longer shift patterns and pay cuts of up to seven per cent.

Brian Smith, branch secretary of Unison’s City of Glasgow branch said: “Unison members have been forced to take further strike action. The social work management has made no attempt to resolve the dispute.”

He added: “The fact is that care homes would not function without the hard work and dedication of our members - to force them into this difficult position is completely unfair and unnecessary.

“Our members are only asking for what is fair: no cuts in pay, properly identified roles and responsibilities of staff, and agreement on any new shift arrangements.”

Glasgow council plans to cut wages of care home workers by up to seven per cent by introducing longer shift patterns, according to Unison.

The move would affect 182 workers out of a workforce of just over 500, with 122 full-time workers on salaries of £20,000-£28,000 facing a loss of £1,495 a year, while 60 part-timers face a loss of £794 a year.

However Glasgow City Council claims that the majority of care workers have supported the changes saying basic salaries will be unaffected, although some may lose shift allowances.

Total of 65 care home workers went on strike

The council revealed that 65 care workers are estimated to have gone on strike over the last two days with a council spokesman saying: “We are pleased this strike has reached its conclusion and we can now get on with delivering care and support to Glasgow's older people.

“The new working arrangements will provide staff with more time off, greater contact with residents and see 160 staff made up to permanent positions while protecting core pay.”

The council claims that just 12 care home staff out of 539 have still to sign up to the new arrangements.

Under the changes, Glasgow council also wants to alter the job roles of the lowest-paid workers to include the administration of medicines.

Unison claims this is not in their pay grade and is calling for properly identified roles and responsibilities; a recognition of the risks associated with any new roles staff are being asked to undertake; fair recompense for any new tasks they are being asked to do plus proper training and support.