Quarriers staff vote two to one for strike
by Chris Bartter
UNISON members working for Quarriers, one of Scotland's biggest
charities, have voted by two to one to take strike action
in their dispute over pay.
The union balloted staff on industrial action after pay talks
broke down when Quarriers management offered only 2.5% and
refused to target pay rises at the lowest paid. Inflation
is currently running at 4.6%. Members at the charity voted
by two to one for strike action and by over three to one to
take action short of a strike.
Simon Macfarlane, UNISON Regional Officer said, "This is
a magnificent result and clearly demonstrates the strength
of feeling amongst our Quarriers members. Our members have
shown that poverty pay is no longer acceptable when working
for a major Scottish charity.
"Surely now management will get back round the table and
start negotiating seriously to achieve a just pay settlement.
"UNISON recognises the financial pressures organisations like
Quarriers face. That is why we campaign for the Scottish Executive
and local authorities to fund them on the basis of the true
costs to provide the service.
"And through our manifesto to Revitalise Scotland's Public
Services we are making this an important election issue.
"However Quarriers can't stick their heads in the sand and
blame others whilst continuing to inflict poverty on their
staff and their families.
"They need to speak up more for decent funding and reprioritise
to ensure that they can pay their staff a decent wage.
"Our members don't work in social care for financial reward;
they do it out of commitment to service users.
"In Quarriers these include some of the most vulnerable in
society. But we can't continue to have staff working for Quarriers
seeking charity because they themselves are experiencing poverty."
UNISON is still considering what industrial action to take
so that members can be effective while ensuring that vulnerable
service users are not significantly affected. It is likely
the first action will be on 25 April.
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