Date: 30 May 2007

Quarriers pay dispute settled

UNISON Scotland members at leading Scottish care charity Quarriers, have voted today overwhelmingly in a postal ballot to accept an improved pay deal to resolve the current pay dispute.

The improved offer of 2.5% or £400, includes a flat rate element. The deal also settles pay for the year ahead based on a further 2.5% increase from 1 October 2007 and an extra day's holiday entitlement.

Quarriers and UNISON have agreed to review the grading of the lowest paid members of staff and to campaign jointly for improved funding to the voluntary sector. UNISON has also agreed to work constructively with Quarriers to reduce sickness absence.

Simon Macfarlane, Regional Officer for UNISON said "The ballot result is great news as it settles a dispute no one wanted. It is vital that UNISON and voluntary organisations ensure that Scotland's newly elected Councils and the Scottish Executive address the funding crisis we face."

Phil Robinson, chief executive of Quarriers said: "I am pleased that the whole issue of pay is resolved with our staff, with minimum disruption to our care services, and that UNISON has agreed to work with us to address the issue of funding of voluntary sector contracts, so that our staff will not be penalised in future. This gap in funding in the voluntary sector was highlighted in the survey carried out by Community Care Providers Scotland (CCPS)."

ENDS

For Further Information Jointly from: Jane Smith/Carol Anderson, The Business tel 0131 718 6022 And: Chris Bartter, UNISONScotland Communications Officer - 0870 7777 006; 07715 583729(m) Stephen Brown, Branch Secretary, UNISON Quarriers Branch mobile: 07738 151150

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