Edinburgh social workers to vote on strike action

Social workers in Edinburgh are to be balloted on strike action
in response to the planned restructure of the capital’s
social work services, writes Maggie
Wood.

Speaking after a meeting of union shop stewards this week,
Edinburgh Unison branch secretary John Stevenson said a half-day
strike was likely to be proposed to allow social work staff to
protest against the measures. Social workers will also be asked to
consider whether to refuse to take on unallocated child protection
case work.

The move follows the council’s cabinet committee vote
earlier this month to replace the council’s education and
social work departments with a children and families department and
one for health and social care, led by two separate directors.

But the union warned that the plans could throw child protection
reforms already underway off track.

Stevenson added that the proposals failed to deal with important
issues such as the recruitment and retention of staff, and a lack
of resources.