Swindon social workers announce strike dates

A total of 19 Swindon Borough Council social work managers will strike for two days a week for two months.

The GMB union says the action will begin on Tuesday 27 February.

The dispute is over pay, after a pay and grading review which was described as botched by GMB, and which the union says has seen their pay and status undermined.

However, the council insists it is committed to fair and equitable pay and is always open to resolving disputes with staff.

GMB Branch Secretary Andy Newman said: "Having failed its Ofsted, Swindon Borough Council drew up a ‘Children’s Services Care Improvement Plan’, but has since deliberately demoted the quality control – the very people who had specific roles in that plan to ensure the improvements.

“There has also been an exodus of talent at the senior management level, so SBC has lost their knowledge, and instead of stability, the department is now led by a chaotic team of agency staff.

“GMB are privately being told that children's lives are being put at risk.

“Unbelievably, Swindon Borough Council are rebuffing calls from GMB for ACAS talks, saying they don't know what we want to talk about."

The staff planning to strike are employed as Assistant Team Managers and Independent Reviewing Officers. 

Swindon Borough Council said in a statement: “We are committed to providing fair and equitable pay that reflects the going market rate for our employees’ professional skills. This is what the recent review of our pay structures achieved with the majority of our staff seeing their pay increase or stay the same.

“We are always open to resolving any disputes with our valued staff. In the meantime, we will continue to bring about the necessary improvements in Children’s Services working closely with our partners and the Department for Education.”