Care workers in Glasgow City Council’s residential homes are embarking on two further days of strike action from today (Monday).

This is the second strike action taken by the city’s care workers in response to the council’s decision to enforce new job roles, longer shift patterns and pay cuts of up to seven per cent.

UNISON Scotland, the union representing care workers, said its members had no option but to take further action.

Brian Smith, UNISON City of Glasgow Branch Secretary, said:

“UNISON members have been forced to take further strike action as the Social Work Management has made no attempt to resolve the dispute.

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

We are looking for a Young members officer to join UNISON.

No experience required as full training will be provided with courses.

We are looking for a passionate individual with energy and enthusiasm

Must be under 26 years of age

For more information contact Lorraine Thomson on 01786 233093

I would like to begin by thanking all our members for their determination and tenacity in 2013 by pulling together and supporting each other through the difficult times.

 We have come through a difficult year in 2013 with the Industrial Dispute:

• One day of industrial action

• One week of selective action from each of the following services
• ICT
• Parking attendants
• Caretakers
• The other Unions supported us on our day of industrial action and continued their dispute with an ongoing overtime ban. 

Together with the other Unions (Unite GMB and UCCAT) UNISON reached agreements with our employer to ensure that our terms and conditions are preserved/restored and no compulsory redundancies in the lifetime of the current administration.

Although we didn’t get all of the outcomes we would have wanted we were able to force the employer back to the negotiating table and constructively work together in coming to a collective bargaining agreement that was found acceptable by our membership.

This agreement has:

• Secured a restoration to increments in 2015 from 2 and a half years to 2 years
• A guarantee of no compulsory redundancies in 2014/15 with the guarantee reviewed each year
• A guarantee of no further changes to our T&Cs 2014/15 to 2016/17 unless by collective bargaining agreement
• A further troll for VS in the first quarter of 2014
• A phase back to a 35 hour working week in 2016

The change to our working week and T&C’s created varied opinions amongst our membership although never forget that as a Trade Union we are a democracy.

We all need to stand strong together to preserve our current working conditions and maintain a decent standard of living.

We are beginning a New Year and there will be new struggles and issues ahead and we need to remain vigilant with the introduction of Priority Based Budgeting on the horizon. 

The council have told everyone that they will be making changes to the structures in services and there will be cuts to the services that are currently delivered to the public as they have said they must reduce the expenditures by £29ml over the next 5 years.

United we are stronger!

Lorraine Thomson

Branch Secretary

Stirling Council Branch Annual General Meeting

will be held in 

Council Chambers in Viewforth

Wednesday 26th February 2014

12 - 2pm

Refreshments Available 

Business begins 12:30pm

and dont forget the

Free Prize Draw