Industrial action set to hit children’s services in Liverpool

Children’s services at Liverpool Council look set to be
disrupted after social workers voted overwhelmingly for industrial
action because of concerns over workloads and staff shortages,
writes Derren Hayes.

Of the 145 Unison social workers balloted, 94.5 per cent voted
in favour of starting industrial action from next week.

This will include working to rule, not covering for staff
vacancies or sickness, refusing to carry out administration duties,
and refusing to use personal cars to visit clients.

If this fails to force concessions, 90 per cent of those
balloted supported plans for three days’ of strike action in
February and March.

The move follows previous accusations by the union that the
council is risking compromising confidential client information
because of new working practices.