Moray Enable Scotland staff to join first national care strike in over a decade as UNISON announces action
Care staff working for Enable Scotland in Moray will go on strike next month in a dispute over pay.
The action, which will begin later this month, is the first national care strike in over a decade.
UNISON says the action comes “after years of broken promises and delays” by the Scottish Government to reform and fund social care “properly”.
The union added that the decision has not been taken lightly but that carers have been left with “no other option”.
Jennifer McCarey, UNISON Scotland regional organiser, said: “Strike action is always a last resort but unions representing care workers have been working with the Scottish government for several years on a plan for social care.
“Not a single promise made by ministers has been kept. In fact, care workers’ pay has gotten worse.
“The care sector is in crisis, and that responsibility lies squarely with the Scottish government.
“Until care workers are properly valued and paid fairly, the sector will never have the care workers it needs.
“Ministers must fund charitable care properly and act to resolve this issue.”
Enable Scotland is the country’s leading social care provider and currently employs 20 staff in Moray.
The strike will roll out across five days in Scotland beginning on May 29 in East Renfrewshire.
Moray workers will join the picket lines on June 3.
The action will culminate with a march and rally at the Scottish Parliament on June 12.
To protect those most at risk, UNISON has agreed “life and limb” cover during the strike.
A UNISON member and a personal assistant with Enable Scotland for eight years said: “I love my job and the people I support, that’s why this decision was so hard but we’re at breaking point.
“We’ve been made promises for years, but nothing changes.
“Our pay doesn’t reflect the responsibility we carry and many of us are struggling to make ends meet.
“We’re just asking to be valued for the vital work we do.”
