Community service supervisors in Glasgow started an indefinite strike today that could result in minor offenders having to be handed jail sentences.
Community service supervisors in Glasgow started an indefinite strike today that could result in minor offenders having to be handed jail sentences.
Union leaders warned the action in the city by 21 council employees, who oversee work in the community carried out as punishment for law-breaking, could leave courts no alternative but to hand prison terms to petty criminals.
The supervisors currently look after around 150 offenders who get training or undertake unpaid work such as gardening or painting and decorating.
Unison, which represents the staff in the social work department, said the action was triggered by a dispute over pay with Glasgow City Council.
A new pay grading by the council could lead to some workers facing cuts of up to £1,500 a year, the union claimed Glasgow City Council said it was "deeply disappointed" by the decision to strike and added measures were in place to minimise disruption.
Around 50 offenders who undertake community service are currently in personal placements. This means they work in an enterprise such as a charity shop or voluntary group and do not need supervision.
The council said around 40 more such placements could start soon, which would mitigate the effects of the strike.
Brian Smith, from Unison's Glasgow City branch, said the pay dispute had been simmering for around two years.
He said: "Members are angry that despite promises the employers continue to fail to recognise the job they do and pay them a fair rate for the job.
"Members don't want to take action and cause problems but they have been left with no other option."
Mr Smith admitted the action could have a "disproportionate effect", with a large number of minor offenders affected by only a handful of workers going on strike.
Asked if he was worried that the action could lead to petty criminals being jailed, he responded: "If the council speaks to us, that won't happen."
He added the hope of staff was that council officials would be persuaded to reopen talks on the pay situation.
Unison said in a statement: "Community service supervisors in Glasgow oversee community service offenders working in the community.
"This strike will mean that this alternative to prison service in Glasgow will stop as of January 6, 2009."
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: "We are deeply disappointed that squad supervisors have decided to go ahead with this strike.
"Given the level of skills required to do the job, we believe we have made an appropriate offer to the staff concerned."
He went on: "The courts have been advised of the industrial action and we will ensure the courts are kept up-to-date with any developments.
"Community service orders are meant to be concluded within a year and therefore we are certain the strike will not pose any significant issues in the longer term."
