This morning, we joined the UNISON picket line at Coops Building, standing alongside striking drug and alcohol recovery staff who work for We Are With You (WAWY).Staff at the charity are subject to two different pay schemes. This two-tier workforce means that some are paid in line with NHS staff bands while others work under WAWY's own pay structure. The 3% pay offer for staff on NHS scheme falls well short of the 5.5% rise given to other NHS staff this year. Meanwhile, those on WAWY’s terms have been offered between 0% and 4%, depending on their pay band.
These people do an incredibly tough job and don’t want to be taking industrial action, but poor pay is causing a huge turnover of staff, which ultimately impacts a service user’s recovery.
WAWY management need to meet with staff and UNISON reps to agree a fair pay offer for ALL staff, in recognition of the increasing cost of living as well as the vital work they do all year round. In the long run, this council-commissioned contract should also be in-sourced and undertaken by a public sector body, just like it is in neighbouring authorities.
Until that time, we will continue to stand with these invaluable workers who support vulnerable people in need all across our borough.
- Cllr Draper & Cllr Dawber