Commenting on the Scottish government’s announcement about the introduction of sectoral bargaining for adult social care sector, UNISON Scotland social care lead Jennifer McCarey said:
“This is a historic moment. It will give every social care worker a voice, could transform pay and conditions for staff and will, at last, recognise their complex skills.
“UNISON led the campaign for sector-wide bargaining and unions are ready to provide a strong presence at the negotiating table.
“Social care workers are paid just pennies above the minimum. Now staff in the sector can work together to demand major improvements.
“That’ll affect not just them but all those they care for.
“The details of how the negotiating body will work need to be finalised, but this commitment is good news.
“Unions look forward to meeting the minister to discuss further. Care workers can play their part in these improvements by joining UNISON.”
Notes to editors
– Tom Arthur, Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing made the announcement today (Wednesday), with further details here.
– Social care workers across Scotland represent around one in 12 (8.1%) of the entire Scottish workforce.
– UNISON Scotland is the largest public services union and the main union for care workers in Scotland. It represents more than 160,000 members in the NHS, social care, local government, education, police staff, energy, and water.