Scottish SPCA workers to vote on strike action over pay

The Dunfermline headquarters of the Scottish SPCA could be impacted by strikes

Staff at the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) are to be balloted over strike action in a dispute over pay.

Unite the Union said about 140 members at the animal charity had "emphatically rejected" a two-year pay offer which amounts to "a significant real terms pay cut".

It said the offer amounts to an increase of about 1.6% this year and 2% next year.

The Scottish SPCA said it was managing a deficit and remained committed to constructive discussions with staff.

Unite said workers feel "undervalued and utterly let down" at a time when demand for the charity has increased.

The union also claims the Scottish SPCA is set to opt-out of being a real living wage employer, just a year after adopting the policy.

Unite said its members at the charity look after the feeding, cleaning, and general health of animals.

The Scottish SPCA has two main workplaces, in Dunfermline and Cardonald in Glasgow.

Increased workloads

Unite said members had raised wider concerns about increased workloads and understaffing impacting on staff morale.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: "Unite's members are on the frontline in ensuring the welfare of animals and people's pets throughout Scotland.

"They deserve a fair pay deal not a real terms pay cut which will force them into poverty."

Unite said demand had increased across the first half of 2025, with calls from pet owners considering handing over their animals totalling 2,400 - a 19.5% increase on the previous year.

There was also a 62.5% rise in foster placements.

Unite's industrial officer Billy Thomson said: "The work our SSPCA members do every day touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across Scotland and they deserve far better from their employer than a real terms pay cut.

"For years the workers have been poorly paid which has seen their standard of living decline.

"The SSPCA workers feel totally undervalued and utterly let down by management which is why we have no option but to go for strikes."

The ballot for workers opens on Wednesday and will run until 17 September.

A spokesperson for the Scottish SPCA said: "As a charity, every decision we take must balance the needs of animals in our care, our colleagues and our generous supporters.

"Like many charities, we are currently managing a deficit and must ensure our long-term sustainability so we can continue to protect Scotland's animals for generations to come.

"Our priority remains the welfare of animals across Scotland and supporting our dedicated colleagues who deliver vital services every day. We remain committed to continued constructive discussions throughout this process."