Scots may set up new union for social workers

The Scottish branch of the British Association of Social Workers
could sever links with public sector union Unison and create a
separate union, writes Clare Jerrom.

BASW members will be asked to vote at its annual general meeting
at Community Care Live in London next month on whether BASW
Scotland should end ties with Unison and help set up an alternative
trade union aimed specifically at social workers.

Professional officer for BASW Scotland Ruth Stark said:
“The body feels that social workers have been left behind
compared to police, teachers and health professionals and hence
they are suggesting a separate union.”

Meanwhile, directors of social services voted unanimously at the
Association of Directors of Social Service’s spring seminar
last week to open up the association’s membership to a wider
range of local authority chief officers in response to structural
changes that have occurred within social care during the past year
and proposals in the Children Bill.