SEVENTY workers in Glasgow city council's homeless service walked out today in a dispute over pay.

 

The workers, all members of Unison, gathered at the rear of the city chambers on the first day of indefinite action.

They walked out following a long running dispute about their pay grade.

The workers say they do a similar job to those in other departments, who are on a higher grade.

Three quarters are women.

Holding placards with the slogans 'Fair Pay Now' and 'Homelessness; the Forgotten Service' they chanted 'Fair Pay Now' outside council offices at noon.

Ian Leech, UNISON Glasgow Social Work Convenor, said: "These workers have been unfairly treated for years in that their jobs should have been graded the same as other frontline staff in addiction services or older people's teams. They have been very patient and hoped that the matter would be addressed by the council, indeed over the years some managers have informally said that they agree with the trade union position.

"Our members care about the people who rely on the service which they provide however, they have been left with no other option. All they are looking for is to be treated the same as the other 400 social care staff who do a similar job."

The workers assess the needs of homeless people and families across Glasgow, organise support and help people to access and maintain emergency, temporary and permanent accommodation.

The 70 workers have nearly 3,000 people on their caseloads.

Members have been taking action short of strike action since late January 2015. The workers are on Pay Grade 5 (£21,000 to £24,500). Others doing a similar job are on Pay Grade 6 (£25,500 to £30,000).