Strike may hit community service

Community service supervisors plan to strike from 6 January

Strike action is threatening to disrupt community service sentences in Glasgow in the new year.

Community service supervisors in the city council's social work department are set to strike from 6 January in an on-going dispute over pay and hours.

The union, Unison, said the strike would paralyse the administration of non-custodial sentences.

Glasgow City Council said steps were being taken to ensure any disruption was kept to a minimum.

Community service supervisors look after groups of people carrying out non-custodial sentences.

They can also be asked to drive them to and from placements.

Unison's Glasgow branch spokesman, Brian Smith, said members had voted overwhelmingly in favour of continuous strike action as the council had refused "to pay them the right rate for the job".

He said: "Members are angry that despite promises, the employers continue to fail to recognise the job they do and pay them a fair rate for the job.

"Members don't want to take action and cause problems but they have been left with no other option".

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: "We are taking steps to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum and will continue to negotiate with the union."