Social work opinion is divided on whether to strike over this year’s local government pay offer for 2024-25, a Community Care poll has found.
While a slight majority of practitioners would take action in pursuit of a better deal, over a third were sceptical that this would work.
Last month, employers announced a “full and final” pay offer for council staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland of the higher of £1,290 or 2.5%. This is worth 3-4% for social workers.
While unions had previously lodged a claim for a 10% rise, employers have said this offer is at the limits of affordability for councils.
As unions consult their members to determine their next steps, a Community Care poll on the pay offer, amassing 1,653 votes, found that over half of respondents (52%) were willing to strike for a better deal.
However, the rest voted against taking industrial action. Over a third (35%) did not like the offer but said “a strike won’t work and will just delay a deal”, while 13% felt content with the pay rise.
An ‘insulting’ offer
Comments under the related article painted a similar picture, with the vast majority of social workers opposed to the offer.Many practitioners called the offer “insulting” or “disappointing”, with one adding that they were hoping for the worst-case scenario being “another offer of £1,925”, in reference to the previous two years' pay settlements.
“Social workers have had roughly 3% for the past god knows how many years. They’ve had pay cuts in real terms with inflation and bill increases and don’t strike often enough,” said C Devine.
“The wage does not match the amount of work, stress, and mental damage it inflicts. No wonder people are leaving the sector in droves.”
'I haven't been on holiday for years'
“They think we live on air or we don’t have to pay for rent, clothes or food,” added Titus.“I haven’t been on holiday for years because I cannot afford it! The nature of social work involves dealing with emotionally charged situations, which can lead to high stress and burnout - especially if you have to worry about yourself, your kids, bills, and health. This emotional toll can make people leave the profession for good.”
Another practitioner, Maria, said the offer did not “offer anything of substance to the people on the ground”.
“We deserve a pay that keeps us off the poverty line but the local authorities paying us need help to achieve this. [...] Offers such as this do not help in any way. As a permanent employee, this offer is beyond disappointing.”
‘Feels like we lose either way’
However, despite the discontent, opinion was divided on whether or not a strike would be effective.While Rebecca said she would be “voting for strike action”, Jimmy said that would mean losing “more in unpaid strike days than the employers are ever going to offer”.
“Feels like we lose either way,” he added.
“Just take the pay rise this year please,” said Ricky Smith, who referenced the fact that protracted disputes over the past two years did not result in improved offers.
“Sadly I’d concur with those warning caution,” echoed Claire S. “And certainly when it comes to strike action - how many can actually afford to strike and lose the pay?”
Unions' impact questioned
Others questioned unions’ ability to secure a better deal, pointing to the experience of the past two years.Gerry T said union negotiations would put off the pay rises until December, “without any meaningful increase”.
“The people in the lower grades will have their pay rise backdated and, if they are claiming universal credit, they will lose this for a month. This means they pay back their pay rise. Just something to think about before we all talk about strike action.”
“Here is another wait till December, for the third year in a row!” added Jade.
“I wouldn’t mind if they actually achieved something but it’s just delaying wages that people need, then finally backing down accepting the original offer anyway.”
‘Times are hard for everyone’
However, some practitioners were more sympathetic to the offer, commenting that it reflected the current state of the economy.“That’s more than fair in this climate,” said Andy.
Social worker Lance Dann said his local authority had to issue a "bankruptcy" notice, under section 114 of the Local Government Act 1972, and couldn’t commit to more spending.
“Times are hard for everyone. We need to remember that we get a better pension than most and paid sickness, which a lot of people don’t get,” he added. “We are in a profession which is generally secure.”
He also commented on unions “dragging” negotiations “for months to achieve nothing”.
“[Employers have] been made clear this is a full and final offer like the last few years. So let’s just get the money rather than dragging it on until December for the same outcome.”
Another practitioner echoed Lance’s comments, saying their service was “struggling to balance the books”.
“I’d love a higher offer. But you know what, I’ll gladly take whatever they’re able to give us. I’d rather take a smaller pay increase to help provide the best possible service for our clients.
“All that will be achieved by rejecting this deal is to drag the whole thing on for months and delay us actually getting the pay rise.”
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