Stirling Websites

Standing with our social work members on World Social Work Day

Greetings to all our social work members on World Social Work Day, today, 18 March 2025.

Today UNISON Scotland stands with all our social work members to celebrate and promote the social work profession.

This year’s theme is ‘Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing’, which emphasises the importance of caring and respecting across generations to build strong societies, sustain the environment, and share wisdom for a better future.

UNISON represents all those who are involved in providing a social work service, including admin staff, paraprofessionals and OTs. All are an important part of the social work team delivering services to our most vulnerable citizens.

UNISON Scotland’s Social Work Issues Group (SWIG) brings together members working in social work from across Scottish local authorities.

We have spearheaded a great many initiatives over past years to highlight the key issues for our social work members – overwork, too high caseloads, too much bureaucracy, high levels of staff absence and burnout, lack of supervision and support amongst others. We have continued to press strongly for increased investment in frontline services and other measures to address our members’ concerns. Where appropriate we work in partnership with organisations such as Social Work Scotland, OCSWA and SASW.

We have also been keen to highlight and promote the excellent practice that goes on out there despite these significant challenges. This includes our monthly webinars promoting radical social work, in which we ensure the voice of practitioners is always represented.

Please select this link and look at the UNISON Scotland Social Work pages on our website. Social Work – UNISON Scotland.

There you will find our Charter of Demands to End the Crisis in Social Work, launched at our Social Work Conference in October 2024, which sets out the actions that are needed now to support staff.

Other recent work includes our response to the “Future of Foster Care” consultation, Future of Foster Care Response – UNISON Scotland; our paper on Care Management and whether it is the right way to provide adult care services Care Management: Fit for Purpose? – UNISON Scotland; and briefings on the proposed National Social Work Agency. At present, we are collating members’ views to respond to the consultation on the registration of paraprofessionals.

From an international perspective, we issued a statement of solidarity with our colleagues in Gaza in February 2024 – Social Work Issues Group Statement on Gaza

On World Social Work Day, and on every other day, UNISON stands in solidarity with our social work members and thanks you all for the important work you do.

If you would like to know more about SWIG or would be interested in joining please Karen Davidson, Lead Organiser Social Work – karen.davidson@unison.co.uk

Urgent Action for Climate Emergency: UNISON’s Role

The climate emergency is happening now. It’s directly impacting UNISON members, their workplaces and the crucial services they provide.

The UK Committee on Climate Change has said the next decade is critical in preventing climate breakdown.

As a union, we have a vital role to play in campaigning for greener politics, working with employers to make workplaces more sustainable.

By harnessing the collective power of our membership, we’ll ensure a safe, healthy and thriving future for generations to come.

Bargaining of Green Issues https://www.unison.org.uk/our-campaigns/green-unison

Announcing the Year of Green Activity – 2026 – https://www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2025/02/opinion-announcing-the-year-of-green-activity-2026/

Sam Macartney Award for International Solidarity

Our Stirling UNISON International Officer, Tony Caleary, has been recognised for his hard work and commitment to International Solidarity.

Sam Macartney was the long-standing chair, then co-chair, of UNISON Scotland’s International Committee. He was known throughout the union for his promotion of international solidarity. Tragically Sam died in 2020, far too early.

The International Committee decided they wanted to honour Sam’s contribution to UNISON’s international agenda and carry on his work in promoting internationalism within the union and beyond. They therefore established the Sam Macartney Award for International Solidarity to be awarded to an individual, branch, or Self-Organised Group in Scotland who has worked to promote international solidarity.

UNISON Pay Consultation: Vote Yes for Fair Pay

The Pay Consultation Ballot for UNISON local government members is underway.

SJC Pay Consultation Question &Answer’s March 2025

You should have received your e-ballot, sent directly to the email address you provided. If you haven’t received it, contact your branch immediately, and they will arrange for a replacement to be sent out.
So far, the employers’ offer of a 3% pay increase is effectively a pay cut disguised as a pay offer.
Here’s why:
Inflation: The latest UK inflation figures show a rise to 3% in January. This means the cost of everyday goods is rising at the same rate as the proposed pay rise, effectively cancelling it out.
Projected Inflation: Economic forecasts suggest inflation is set to rise to 3.75% by the middle of the year, meaning the offer of 3% will result in a pay cut.
Energy Costs: The recent energy cap increase of 6.4% adds an average of £111 to annual fuel bills. This alone wipes out a significant portion of the 3% increase.
Council Tax: Massive council tax rises further erode our take-home pay.
Additionally, over the past 15 years, all local government staff have seen the value of their pay drop by as much as 20%. This long-term erosion of pay value has been ignored.
Your UNION is seeking your views on the next steps if the employer fails to come forward with an improved pay offer by 31st March 2025.
We are asking whether you are willing to take industrial action to achieve an improved offer.
Your Local Government Committee is urging you to vote YES:

Yes, you deserve a decent pay raise.

YES to show a united strength of feeling.

By not participating in this ballot, you are telling the employers that you are willing to accept a pay cut disguised as a pay offer.

For more information see https://unison-scotland.org/local-government-pay-2025-26/

Council workers in Scotland asked to back strike ballot move, says UNISON

International Women’s Day – Christina McAnea

How the Dagenham Strike Sparked the Equal Pay Movement

As the largest women’s organisation in the country, we’re celebrating 50 years of both the Equal Pay Act and the Sex Discrimination Act this International Women’s Day.

Fifty years ago, in 1975, the Equal Pay Act (1970) came into force in the UK, and the Sex Discrimination Act was also passed the same year.

Seven years earlier, a determined group of women had laid the foundations for the landmark Equal Pay Act. In 1968, 187 female sewing machinists at the Ford factory in Dagenham went on strike. They refused to work because they were being paid 15% less than their male colleagues, despite carrying out the same tasks.

The then Labour employment minister, Barbara Castle, helped the Dagenham sewing machinists to negotiate a settlement. She also promised to deliver legislation, “to make equal pay for equal work a reality”. So, in 1975, for the first time, employers were legally required to pay women and men equal pay for equal work.
Happy International Women’s Day…Read more

International Women’s Day March 2025

Saturday 8th March

Assemble: 1pm Mercat Cross, Royal Mile/High Street

Join International Women’s Day Edinburgh to celebrate International Women’s Day with a march. Bring your placards, branch banners, family and friends; everyone is welcome!

The march will end in a rally at the Scottish Parliament, with speakers and stalls.