HOME care workers could be set to take strike action over plans to drive through new job roles and pay grades.

Renfrewshire Council are set to offer lifeline care staff a measly 67 pence more per hour - despite claims they already face ‘hugely increased responsibilities’.

GMB Scotland say that the first review of such roles in 16 years has failed to recognise the crucial roles, skills and specialist experience staff provide to the local authority.

Employees will now be balloted on whether they want to take industrial action after the review that will look at job titles, grades and salaries.

Union bosses say members have already taken on more responsibilities, including supporting people with complex needs, administering medication, increased administration and recording and more liaison with other services like NHS Scotland and social work.

They are paid £12.29 an hour and Renfrewshire Council has decided they should be moved up a grade – but be paid just £12.96 an hour.

GMB Scotland say members are determined to have their work properly recognised and have called on the council to review the grading and ‘fairly recognise the care workers’ value and service to the community’.

Kirsten Muat, GMB Scotland organiser, said: “For far too long carers employed by Renfrewshire Council have been undervalued and underpaid and now the authority has a chance to change that, but it’s not gone nearly far enough.

“Carers are on the frontline of our communities every day, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“It is difficult, physically demanding work, requiring skills, knowledge, experience and an absolute commitment to those needing care and support.

“This service has been running on the goodwill of carers’ - but that goodwill has run out and is being needlessly jeopardised.

“Our members will now take whatever action they feel necessary to see the value of their work properly recognised and to protect the people they care for.”

Glasgow Times:

GMB Scotland has now launched a consultative ballot of Renfrewshire Council members working in care roles, with the results expected in two weeks.

One worker, 45, from Paisley, said that many of her colleagues felt it was time to take a stand.

She added: “We’ve watched those who work in other public sector positions receive pay increases and enough is enough.

“The job we do is an important one, we are the last line of support for many people and it is time our contribution to be recognised and recompensed.

“Nobody wants to get to the point where we are on picket lines, but to be offered 67 pence an hour more is an insult, and if we need to vote with our feet, then so be it.”

 “Home care workers have been the poor relations within councils for too long and it is time that changed across the board.”

A spokesperson for Renfrewshire Council told the Glasgow Times that they hope to work with unions and workers to avert any industrial action.

They added: "At the request of Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) we carried out a job evaluation to consider a more developed Home Care Worker role.

“This followed the national job evaluation process and we continue to engage with trade unions in respect of this.”