Workers at a large Scottish social care charity have voted to take strike action in a dispute over pay.
Yesterday, UNISON Scotland announced that 93% of staff at Enable Scotland who voted in a ballot supported a call for industrial action.
UNISON, which represents around 600 workers at Enable Scotland, said the charity “is one of the better employers in the care sector” and called on the Scottish Government to fund charitable care “properly and act to resolve this issue”.
The union said the move marked the first time in over 10 years that social care workers in the charitable sector had voted to strike.
Enable Scotland’s latest annual review shows that the charity employed 2,500 staff overall in 2023-24 and recorded a total income of £63.1m against total expenditure of £61.4m.
Charity is ‘one of the care sector’s better employers’
Wendy Hudson, UNISON Scotland area organiser, said: “Care workers, who look after some of the most vulnerable people in society, are struggling to make ends meet because they’re not paid enough to live on.
“Five years on from the first Covid lockdown, the care workforce shouldn’t be left with no option other than to strike for a fair wage. More value must be placed on the work care staff do.
“Enable Scotland is one of the better employers in the care sector. But without proper funding from the Scottish Government, care workers will continue to be let down. Ministers must fund charitable care properly and act to resolve this issue.”
Jennifer McCarey, UNISON regional organiser, said: “The care sector is in crisis. Care workers must be able to negotiate their pay at a national level with government, as health and council staff currently do.
“The recruitment crisis in social care won’t end until care workers are valued for the vital work they do and given the fair pay they deserve.”
UNISON steward and care worker, Kim O’Donnell said the Scottish Government had “let down” care workers when it withdrew pledged funding, deepening the crisis in the care sector.
“This vote from Enable Scotland reflects how undervalued care workers feel. They want to be respected for the work they do and paid a decent wage,” she said.
In response, Scottish social care minister Maree Todd said: “I’m aware of the pay dispute between UNISON and Enable.
“Pay negotiations are a matter for trade unions and employers but I urge both parties to continue to work together constructively to reach an agreement which is fair for the workforce and affordable for Enable and avoids disruption for those who rely on care.”
Civil Society has contacted Enable Scotland for comment.
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