Staff vote for strike over sacked worker

Cardiff Unison members have voted in favour of
strike action in a dispute over the sacking of a social worker and
union activist.

The ballot took place in the wake of the
dismissal by Cardiff Council of Charles Faber (News, page 10, 28
February). The union claims that he was suspended only a few hours
after appearing on a BBC Wales television programme last year,
highlighting what were described as serious shortcomings in
Cardiff’s social services child care section.

Faber, who led the emergency child duty team
for 20 years, warned that a child could die unless pressure on
front-line services was eased.

He also voiced his concerns about the serious
lack of appropriate care placements in and around Cardiff, the
pressures on his colleagues, and his worries for some of the
youngsters in the authority’s care.

His union believes that Faber’s whistleblowing
was the real reason for his dismissal.

But Cardiff Council has denied that Faber had
been suspended because of the TV appearance. A spokesperson said
that his dismissal relates to an investigation into budget
control.