STAFF at Quarriers care homes are to walk out on Tuesday over plans to cut their pay by up to 20%.

The 24-hour strike by Unison members will start at 8am and though services will be disrupted, union officials say they will ensure “life and limb” cover is provided.

A spokesman said emergency cover would be in place because “we want to punish the management, not the service users”.

But while Unison members are taking action, Quarriers has revealed another union involved in the negotiations indicated its members have agreed to accept the offer.

In a bid to avoid the walkout, Unison has renewed its call to Quarriers management to take the dispute to the conciliation service, ACAS.

Regional organiser Simon Macfarlane said no-one wanted to walk out but Quarriers had left them “with no option”.

He said: “The proposed cuts to pay and conditions will be absolutely devastating on staff and, in the longer term, will impact on the service Quarriers provides to vulnerable adults and children.

“If you are sick with worry and losing your home, it is hard to totally focus on the care you are giving.

“Once again we ask that Quarriers management agree to take this dispute to ACAS.”

Unison members voted three to one in favour of strike action after rejecting a package of cuts that will see some of them losing as much as £400 a month.

They also face higher pension contributions, reduced sick pay and other changes to their terms and conditions.

Quarriers chief executive Paul Moore said last night: “Robust plans are in place to ensure that continuity and high standards of services are maintained if the 200 Unison members – 10% of our 2000 staff – that voted for strike action go out next week.

“This course of action is vital to protect jobs.

“We considered a number of alternatives including a proposal by Unison that would have led to almost 200 redundancies.

“We simply could not accept a proposal resulting in job losses.

“I understand it is difficult for anyone to accept a reduction in their salary.

“However, avoiding redundancies is our priority.

“The majority of staff will see their salary reduce by 3%. Staff whose salary is reduced by more than 3% will receive a payment of up to £1000.”

He added: “We have been verbally advised by EIS, the other union involved in negotiations, that it has accepted our offer.”

Labour Health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said it was disappointing that a dedicated workforce was having to contemplate strike action.

She has written to Mr Moore urging him to go to ACAS to try to reach a solution.

Ms Baillie said the problem extended beyond one social care provider.

She said: “These cuts to workers’ terms and conditions are being forced on care providers as local authorities try to reduce their bills.

“That is why Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon also has some responsibility here.

“I would call on her to get involved and help to avoid a race to the bottom to see who can provide the cheapest level of care, because it is being done at the expense of those who provide the services for the most vulnerable in our society.”

Ms Sturgeon said: “I would encourage all parties involved to continue discussions to resolve this matter at the earliest opportunity and ensure continuity of quality care for all those who rely on the Quarriers service.”