Despite an impending strike by 28 social workers in Bath and North East Somerset Council’s children’s services department, top council officials have firmly assured that children will remain safe throughout the industrial action.
Scheduled for May 19, 20, and 22, the strike involves team managers and deputy team managers protesting changes to pay gradings that place them on the same salary grade as some of the staff they supervise. Represented by the Unison trade union, these staff members previously staged a one-day strike in March.
At a recent scrutiny panel meeting, Darryl Freeman, the council’s Executive Director of People, acknowledged the disruption caused by strike action but emphasized that it does not equate to children being placed at risk. “I have great respect for both our striking colleagues and those providing cover, and they will do their utmost to ensure children’s safety,” Freeman stated.
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He explained that the strike forces managers in other roles to divert their attention to provide cover, causing operational disruptions. However, he categorically denied any failure to support vulnerable children during this period.
Addressing concerns about pay, Freeman rejected claims that staff salaries are “paltry.” He highlighted that deputy team managers earn between £47,181 and £51,356 annually, while team managers receive between £52,413 and £57,864, placing them in the mid-range of local government pay scales. This salary range will benefit from a national pay award uplift, retroactive to April.
Councillor Joanna Wright acknowledged the challenges posed by the rising cost of living, noting that such salaries are no longer as substantial as they once were.
Freeman also conceded an oversight in the council’s communication with Unison, admitting that the council failed to promptly respond to the union’s notice of strike plans due to seeking assistance from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas). The council and Unison were scheduled to resume negotiations following the scrutiny panel meeting.
Unison’s South West regional secretary, Tim Roberts, expressed the union’s frustration, emphasizing the specialized and demanding nature of children’s social care work and the need for fair compensation. He urged the council to present a clear and credible pay proposal to resolve the dispute and minimize service disruption.
The strike follows a January-February ballot where 100% of participating staff voted in favor of industrial action with a 94% turnout. Although initial plans for an extended 11-day strike were postponed following a council offer, tensions remain high amid ongoing pay disputes and a proposed departmental restructure. The restructure, which risks five redundancies and role changes for numerous social workers, has sparked significant protests, even leading to disruptions outside council meetings at Bath’s Guildhall.
Through these challenging circumstances, council leaders remain committed to safeguarding children while addressing staff concerns.