Care workers strike for first time in decade in dispute over pay

Care staff at Enable Scotland have begun strike action, marking the first national care walkout in over a decade.

The industrial action kicks off in East Renfrewshire on Thursday and will continue across Aberdeenshire, Moray, Ayrshire, Edinburgh, and Glasgow over the next five days.

The strike is a response to ongoing pay disputes and what the union Unison describes as “years of broken promises and delays” by the Scottish Government to properly fund and reform social care.

The action will culminate in a march and rally at the Scottish Parliament on June 12.

Unison has assured that “life and limb” cover will be maintained during the strike to ensure essential services continue.

But chiefs warn care staff have been left with no option after being “consistently let down” by ministers.

Unison Scotland regional organiser Jennifer McCarey said: “The last thing care workers want to do is strike. It’s been a very difficult decision for them.

“But promises of pay increases made by government ministers have been broken and Enable workers’ pay has worsened.

“The care sector is in crisis, and the responsibility for that lies squarely with the Scottish government.

“Until care staff are valued properly and paid fairly, the sector will never have the workforce it needs.”

Care workers to go on strike beginning Thursday iStock

Anna Baird is a Unison member and a personal assistant with Enable Scotland for eight years.

She said: “I love my job and the people I support, that’s why this decision was so hard. But we’re at breaking point.

“We’ve been made promises for years, but nothing changes. Our pay doesn’t reflect the responsibility we carry, and many of us are struggling to make ends meet. We’re just asking to be valued for the vital work we do.”

An Enable spokesperson said: “Enable is disappointed by the decision to strike, but we are working positively with UNISON on our shared principle of minimising the adverse impact of this action on the people we support. Significantly enhanced pay beyond the real living wage is entirely dependent on external funding.

“Enable has worked with UNISON to advance Fair Work across the social care sector for a number of years, and we would welcome a national pay settlement for the charity sector social care workforce which is on a par with pay deals for care workers in the public sector.”

Social Care Minister Maree Todd said: “We value the vital role which social care workers play in delivering high-quality care.

“Pay negotiations are a matter for trade unions and employers and I urge both parties to continue to work together to reach an agreement which is fair for the workforce and affordable for Enable.

“Our 2025-26 Scottish Budget provides an additional £125m to enable adult social care workers, delivering direct care in commissioned services, to be paid at least the Real Living Wage of £12.60 an hour. This takes our total investment in improving social care pay to £950m.”

Enable Scotland and the Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.