Union calls for urgent meeting over registration fees dispute

Trade union Unite has called for an urgent meeting with Dundee City Council to resolve a dispute over registration fees for support workers.

The local authority has refused to cover the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) charge, instead asking workers to pay.

The annual fees start at £25 for all support staff, £35 for residential childcare and school care workers, and £80 for social work mangers and care inspectors.

Union chiefs have called for all additional costs for workers to be removed.

Unite members raised a collective grievance under Dundee City Council’s internal process and have a statutory right to raise issues either personally or through their trade union if the dispute affects more than one individual.

Unite claims the council has refused to hear the grievance and additional concerns of workers.

Regional officer Bob Macgregor said: “Unite is demanding an urgent meeting with the council to resolve this issue for our members.

“These mandatory costs are being charged to some of the lowest paid workers at the council. Dundee’s councillors should be ashamed of themselves.

“Stop ignoring the collective voice of the workforce and get back round the table to resolve this issue once and for all.”

A Dundee City Council spokeswoman said: “The council had offered to meet with Unite representatives about SSSC registration in particular.

“A meeting with representatives of the joint trade unions will be arranged to discuss this particular topic.”