Workers at one of Scotland’s biggest charities have voted for strike action over pay, according to trade union Unison.
Union members voted by two to one to take action after pay talks
broke down when Quarriers management offered a 2.5 per cent rise.
Simon Macfarlane, Unison Regional Officer said:
“Our
members have shown that poverty pay is no longer acceptable when
working for a major Scottish charity. Unison recognises the financial
pressures organisations like Quarriers face. That is why we campaign
for the Scottish Executive and local authorities to fund them on the
basis of the true and full costs to provide the service.
“Our
members don’t work in social care for financial reward; they do it out
of commitment to service users. In Quarriers these include some of the
most vulnerable in society. But we can’t continue to have staff working
for Quarriers seeking charity because they themselves are experiencing
poverty.”
Phil Robinson, Chief Executive of Quarriers responded:
“This
represents 6 per cent of our total workforce of 1,750. It would be
regrettable if strike action affected any of our vital care services.
Quarriers management is happy to meet again with Unison to discuss the
pay issue, but we are not able to improve our pay offer.
“Staff
at Quarriers are hugely committed to the work they do for vulnerable
people, for disadvantaged children and families across Scotland. Any
strike action could put the issue of services under threat, and would
appear to show that Unison is unfairly targeting the voluntary sector
in comparison with local authority services.”
Unison said it is still considering what industrial action to take with the first strike likely to begin on April 25.
www.quarriers.org.uk
www.unison-scotland.org.uk
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