The Scottish Government has announced the introduction of sectoral bargaining for the adult social care sector, a move that aims to enhance the working conditions and pay for social care workers across Scotland. Tom Arthur, Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, made the announcement on Wednesday.

Jennifer McCarey, UNISON Scotland’s social care lead, described the initiative as a significant development for the sector. She emphasized that it would provide social care workers with a collective voice and could lead to improved pay and working conditions, acknowledging the complex skills required in the profession.

UNISON Scotland, the largest public service trade union in the country, has been a strong advocate for sector-wide bargaining. McCarey noted that many social care workers currently earn just above the minimum wage, and the new bargaining framework would empower them to advocate for better compensation and conditions.

While the specifics of the negotiating body are still to be determined, McCarey expressed optimism about the commitment shown by the government. She indicated that unions are prepared to engage in discussions with the minister to further explore the implications of this announcement.

Social care workers represent approximately 8.1% of the Scottish workforce, highlighting the significance of this sector within the broader employment landscape. UNISON Scotland, which represents over 160,000 members across various public services, is expected to play a crucial role in the upcoming negotiations.

The introduction of sectoral bargaining is seen as a pivotal step towards recognising the contributions of social care workers and addressing longstanding issues related to pay and working conditions in the sector.