Mental health workers to strike for three days

GMB say it has gathered 2,000 signatures on a petition that backs strikes by mental health workers in parts of Cumbria

Mental health workers are walking out for three days in a row over pay.

Members of the urgent care team in parts of Cumbria want to see their pay regraded, says the GMB union.

But Cumberland Council says the roles had already been re-evaluated in 2019 and a request to regrade was turned down two years ago, because there had been "no changes" to the requirements of their roles.

It is the second time the workers have gone on strike.

The walkout, which starts at 09:00 GMT on Friday 22 March and ends at 09:00 on 25 March, involves staff who carry out assessments and make decisions on whether people need to be detained under the Mental Health Act.

Workers are currently paid between £48,474 and £49,498 a year in Cumberland and the average rate across the North West is £38,600, according to social care body Skills for Care.

'Public support'

GMB says it has gathered 2,000 signatures on a petition that shows people back the strikes.

Fran Robson, GMB organiser, said: “The public support shows the people of Cumberland are right behind their urgent care team and their plea for a regrade.

“The issue is not one of funding: the council has spent more than £600,000 in agency staff costs within the team during the past two years."

Cumberland Council said that when there had been vacancies in the team, arrangements had been made to ensure they could deliver a safe service.

They added they had recruited two new members of staff in the past six months to reduce use of agency workers.

While the strikes are ongoing, an emergency cover plan will be in place.

A spokesman for Cumberland Council added: "We are also working with NHS partners to ensure continuity of care and support to anyone in a mental health crisis."