By Charles Webster-
Social workers and occupational therapists working in adult services from Unison are out on the picket fence today, Monday, June 12.
The strike follows a 94 per cent of staff voted for industrial action.
The strike is the sixth strike by SGC adult service staff since last summer, and follows a tense dispute with the council about a £3,000 retention payment which is reportedly being paid to colleagues in children’s services but not in adult services.
The union says figures show a quarter of local authorities are now offering these “market-forces” supplements as many are facing significant problems attracting and keeping staff
A Unite spokesperson said the payment is in addition to their basic annual salary because councils are having difficulty recruiting and retaining social workers in children’s services.
But, as a result, strikers from adult services say they are not feeling “valued at all” and are asking to receive the supplement from SGC.
They are joining forces with SGC contracted Suez workers who carry out bin collections in the area and are also on strike this week.
Sarah Bramley, social worker at South Gloucestershire Council said: “Current figures show that retention of qualified workers in adult care is worse now than when the payment was agreed for children services.
“But retention payments are not being considered for us which makes us feel we are not valued at all.
“We hold the same qualification as our colleagues in children’s services and our job is incredibly demanding.
“The basic wage is already higher in all neighbouring authorities so SGC struggles to attract experienced staff and with Wiltshire council, for instance implementing retention payments for adult services, this problem will surely get worse.”
A SGC spokesperson said: “A number of our social workers and occupational therapists are taking part in local strike action.
“We are disappointed that UNISON have proceeded with strike action, given our continuing focus on delivering our workplace action plan which addresses issues staff tell us matter most.
“Staff in all roles in adult social care undertake vitally important work in our communities in South Gloucestershire.
“We very much hope that UNISON will continue to engage with us on the actions agreed after the last period of industrial action.”
A joint picket line by Unite (refuse workers at Suez) and Unison is taking place this afternoon outside Kingswood Civic Centre.