Scottish SPCA staff announce strike action on Bonfire Night

The Scottish SPCA operates rescue centres around the country

Animal welfare workers have announced they will go on strike over "chronic low pay" by their charity employer.

About 140 workers at Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) will take strike action for 24 hours on 5 November.

Their union, Unite, say the charity has millions in reserves and its new boss earns a "bumper" six-figure salary while workers have had a real terms pay cut.

The industrial action on Bonfire Night comes after talks with the SSPCA failed to reach a pay deal.

Unite members overwhelmingly backed the strike action after rejecting a two-year pay offer which Unite said amounted to a significant real terms pay cut.

The charity, which has been a Living Wage employer since 2021, offered an average pay rise for 2025 of about 1.6%, with some members having their pay frozen, and a one-off payment worth about 2%.

A 2% offer was tabled for 2026.

The SSPCA operates rescue centres around the country, supports pet owners and investigates crimes against animals.

Workers 'forced further into poverty'

It has already urged people to contact its animal helpline if animals are found in distress on Bonfire Night, because fireworks can have a "devastating impact on pets, wildlife and farmed animals".

Unite members at the SSPCA look after the feeding, cleaning, and general health of animals, including members of the veterinary team, animal rescue workers, inspectors who deal with animal neglect and helpline workers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said its members had no option but to "take a stand against years of chronic low pay".

She said: "The SSPCA workers are dedicated to their jobs but they deserve a fair pay deal not a real terms pay cut which forces them further into poverty.

"We will support our members all the way in their fight to secure better jobs, pay and conditions at the SSPCA."

The union said the charity's chief executive, Mark Bishop, was earning a reported annual pay package of more than £100,000 and the SSPCA's unrestricted income funds amounted to £39.34m at the end of 2024.

It claimed increased workloads and understaffing were impacting staff morale.

'Fair pay offer'

Billy Thomson, Unite industrial officer, said: "The SSPCA seem to have no issue giving their new chief executive a bumper pay award while also sitting on tens of millions in reserves.

"The workers feel utterly let down and undervalued by their employer."

An SSPCA spokeswoman said 62 out of 139 Unite members voted in favour of strike action.

"That equates to 14% of our paid workforce. The total number of helping hands, including volunteers, is 1,342, so 19 out of 20 did not choose strike action.

"We have engaged openly and constructively throughout the consultation process and put forward a pay offer we believe is fair, responsible and reflective of the financial pressures the Scottish SPCA is currently managing."

She added: "Animal welfare remains our number one priority, our helpline remains open and we will continue to care for animals across Scotland with plans in place to ensure we still deliver our essential services during this period."

It has headquarters in Dunfermline and Cardonald, Glasgow.