Mental health social workers to strike for two days
The GMB union said the council denied a request for jobs to be regraded
- Published
Mental health social workers in parts of Cumbria are set to strike in a row over how their jobs are graded.
The urgent care team will walk out for 48 hours on Friday from 09:00 BST, after arguing Cumberland Council incorrectly evaluated their roles.
The team carries out mental health assessments and makes decisions on whether people need to be detained under the Mental Health Act.
A spokesperson for the Labour-led authority said its decision not regrade the roles "was made based on all the relevant evidence".
The GMB union said staff applied for their jobs to be regraded in 2022 but the council denied the request.
'Emotional toll'
Fran Robson, GMB organiser, said: "Cumberland’s urgent care team does an extremely difficult, often dangerous, and always emotionally draining job.
"But Cumberland Council has completely refused to recognise the emotional toll our members face while navigating distressing and sometimes dangerous situations.
"They have undermined the professionalism and expertise of these dedicated professionals."
Cumberland Council said it had procedures in place to assess and fairly determine the appropriate grade for each position.
A spokesperson said: "The decision not to regrade the role of approved mental health professionals in the urgent care team was given due consideration and was made based on all the relevant evidence.
"The trade union has been involved in those discussions."
It added there was a three stage process - agreed with unions - to resolve disputes.
The final stage involves the independent arbitration service (Acas), but the council claims the union called the strikes before talks could take place.
The GMB said it believed it "followed all processes fully".
Ms Robson said: "We asked Cumberland Council on the 26 February if they wanted to jointly refer matters to Acas and agreed to make the necessary referral.
"However, to date, Cumberland Council has not asked us to make any referral."
Follow BBC Cumbria on X (formerly Twitter), external, Facebook, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.