by Chris Bartter

UNISON has launched a charter that outlines the need for action to be taken to tackle issues faced by Occupational Therapists (OTs) working for Scottish Local Councils.

Occupational Therapists and OT support staff work with some of the most vulnerable people in society, enhancing their ability to participate in everyday activities.

They are employed both in the Healthcare and Local Government sector, and are at the forefront of the Government's joint working initiatives.

Michael Mathieson MSP, SNP spokesperson on Culture and Sport, himself a former council-based OT, hosted the launch at the Scottish Parliament. He was joined by Kirsten Hey, of UNISONScotland's OT working group and Gail MacNamara, from the Scottish Board of the College of Occupational Therapists (COT)- the professional body for OTs.

Kirsten Hey said, "OTs working for local councils face a number of challenges which their union - UNISON - is campaigning to have addressed.

"Whilst we work closely with colleagues in the NHS - have the same qualifications and in some areas do very similar jobs - we often have worse terms and conditions and Agenda for Change in the NHS is likely to widen the gap.

"As Joint Future working moves on, OTs are becoming more and more involved in the management of complex care services in both social work and healthcare and the implications for pay and conditions are becoming urgent."

As staff who work in both the NHS and local government, changes to the public sector pension schemes will affect OTs who work in both services and who move between the two.

Kirsten said, "It is unacceptable that staff who increase their skills and take on more complex responsibilities by moving between health and social care should see their pensions diminished as a result.

"As someone who has transferred from the NHS to a local council, I feel the unfairness of this particularly, and whilst I know that UNISON is pulling out all the stops to change the UK employers position, it may yet come to industrial action."

The OT charter will form a key part of UNISON's negotiating agenda with both the Scottish Executive and the employers.

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