Care workers will walk out over pay dispute

– which also includes an overtime ban – comes amidst an ongoing dispute with the council over jobs, grades and salaries.

The local authority is currently proposing a 67p pay increase for carers, bringing the hourly rate to £12.96.

However, unions say the fee fails to recognise the crucial role, skills and specialist experience care staff have garnered since the last review of roles was completed in 2007.

They are now supporting people with complex needs, are responsible for administering medication, completing additional paper work and are often responsible for liaising with social work, NHS teams and other healthcare professionals.

Today members of the GMB and Unison trade unions will join their colleagues in West Dunbartonshire and Falkirk in the industrial action, which will also see a rally held in Glasgow tomorrow.

Kirsten Muat, GMB Scotland organiser at Renfrewshire Council, said the council has been offered many opportunities to engage with care workers to avoid industrial action.

She said: “Carers shouldn’t have to take industrial action to get paid fairly for the work to do but Renfrewshire Council have left them no choice.

“Carers have been clear with the council throughout this needlessly protracted process that industrial action was inevitable unless they were properly graded and fairly paid.

“Unfortunately, the council has failed to take the opportunity to treat these vital workers fairly and avert this industrial action.

“These staff members are the foundation of care in our communities offering lifechanging support for some of the most vulnerable people in Renfrewshire, many with complex medical and emotional needs. These workers must be given the pay their role and responsibilities deserve.”

A spokesperson for Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership said: “We remain in discussions with the trade unions regarding a proposed resolution to the ongoing dispute and have asked that unions postpone plans for industrial action.

“We are committed to finding a resolution to this ongoing situation to minimise disruption for those in need of our Care at Home services.

“In the meantime, we have continued to plan for any disruption and are advising those receiving care, and their families and carers, that our Care at Home Service will operate on a reduced capacity due to industrial action.

“We are communicating directly with people supported by our service and their families or carers to advise of any likely disruption to their care.”