Social work strike ends

20 years ago

GLASGOW’S bitter social work strike ended.

An angry mass meeting heard Unison leaders tell the wildcat strikers that they had to go back for their desks – or face the sack.

Immediately after the warning, around 60 staff walked out to return to work.

They claimed that the actions of social work branch convenor Roddy Slorach had brought the union into disrepute. Community care worker Ellen Foreman said: “This strike should never have happened.”

Anger spilled over when the meeting finally broke up after the return- to- work vote. Press photographers were jostled – and defiant social workers vowed to fight on.