Social workers and occupational therapists in South Gloucestershire Council are being balloted for strike action by UNISON in a dispute over pay enhancements.
UNISON has been in formal dispute with the council since July 2022 over its decision to pay a market forces supplement to staff in Childrens’ Services, but not to those doing the same jobs in Adult Services or the 0-25 team.
In UNISON’s internal survey 84% of affected members said that they were willing to take strike action over this issue.
UNISON South West regional organiser Michael Sweetman said:
“These staff are being paid thousands a year less than their colleagues doing the same jobs for the same employer.”
“We support the use of market forces supplements in some circumstances, but their use should be fair, consistent, and based on clear evidence. The council’s own figures show that staff recruitment and retention is only marginally better in Adult’s than in Children’s Services, and that both are much worse than the council workforce as a whole.”
The ballot opens today (Wednesday 15th February) and closes on Wednesday 8th March.
