Date: Fri 3 August 2007

Glasgow social care strike continues as staff reject offer

The strike of over 550 social care workers in Glasgow will continue after further talks between Glasgow City Council and UNISON this morning, failed to provide a solution. An offer from the council was overwhelmingly rejected by a general meeting of the strikers today.

The council proposals would have provided an immediate increase in earnings for one third of the members in dispute, but would have required up to three years, for others to progress to the top of the new grade.

Mike Kirby, UNISON Glasgow Branch Convenor said "We were so near, yet so far from a solution. At the end of the second week of strike action, perhaps it is time to ask, 'where are the elected city council leaders? Will they intervene to bridge the gap?'"

The workers, who are angry about the results of a job evaluation that doesn't reflect the responsibilities of the job they carry out, have been on strike since Tuesday 24 July.

ENDS

Note for editors: The Fieldwork Social Care Workers voted by 87% for strike action. Around 1,000 other team Leaders, social workers and other staff working with this group are currently being balloted on strike action.

For Further Information Please Contact: Mike Kirby (Convenor - Glasgow City Branch UNISON 07803 952 261 (m) Mandy McDowall (Regional Officer) 07903 846 427(m) Chris Bartter (Communications Officer) 0771 558 3729(m)

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