Glasgow staff urged to reject contracts

Union leaders have urged Glasgow social workers to “show solidarity” with other care workers by refusing to sign new
contracts that will raise their pay.

Pay for newly qualified social workers is due to rise to nearly £29,000, from the current £27,000, while senior professionals’ wages will rise by at least £435 a year, under a council-wide pay and benefits review.

But residential child care workers and some of the most experienced para-professionals will lose out, the latter by up to £1,000 a year.

Unison’s social work convenor Ronnie Stevenson said: “We’re appealing for union members that have gained to keep solidarity with these colleagues by not returning their contracts.”

However, the union warned that staff who did not sign contracts could lose their jobs and be reemployed under different terms and conditions.

The council is due this week to send out letters detailing individual workers’ job grades and pay level, with contracts to follow shortly.

Stevenson said the union would hold meetings soon to decide whether to ballot for industrial action. Details of the impact of the review on practice team leaders, middle managers and directors have still to be revealed.