Children’s social care managers in Bath escalate strike action over pay and grading

Children’s social care managers at Bath and North East Somerset Council are to strike for a further three days in an escalating dispute over pay and grading, says UNISON today (Thursday).
 
Team managers and deputy team managers will walk out from Wednesday 20 to Friday 22 May.
 
Workers at the local authority unanimously backed strike action following concerns about the council’s job regrading programme, says UNISON. 
 
Those affected by the scheme say it was imposed without proper consultation, and has left many on the wrong grade and underpaid.
 
The union says the dispute comes at a time of wider upheaval in the department. In March, the council announced a restructure of children’s social care which UNISON says has left staff facing further uncertainty.
 
UNISON South West regional secretary Tim Roberts said: “This strike action shows the depth of feeling among staff over the council’s failure to resolve concerns about pay and grading.
 
“Children’s social care managers do highly skilled and demanding work supporting vulnerable children and families. They shouldn’t have to fight to be paid fairly.
 
“The council must now come back with a clear and credible offer that properly addresses staff concerns and helps prevent further disruption to services.”