SOCIAL workers in Bath and North East Somerset are set to strike for three days next week after a “day of action” in March.

Team managers and deputy team managers in the council’s children’s services department are set to take industrial action from May 20 to 22 over changes to pay gradings which put them on the same grade as some of the staff they manage.

Unison South West regional secretary Tim Roberts said: “This strike action shows the depth of feeling among staff over the council’s failure to resolve concerns about pay and grading.

“Children’s social care managers do highly skilled and demanding work supporting vulnerable children and families. They shouldn’t have to fight to be paid fairly.

“The council must now come back with a clear and credible offer that properly addresses staff concerns and helps prevent further disruption to services.”

A spokesperson for Bath and North East Somerset Council said: “Following a day of industrial action on March 19, team managers and deputy team managers in the council’s children’s services team have informed us, through UNISON, that they plan to take further strike action on May 20, 21 and 22. This is related to pay and grading.

“The council remains committed to continuing constructive discussions with staff and UNISON. During any industrial action, we will ensure continuity of service for the children, young people and families in Bath and North East Somerset.”

When Unison balloted the affected staff in January and February, 100 percent backed strike action on a 94 percent turnout. Original plans for an 11-day strike were suspended after a council offer.

At the same time as the pay dispute, plans for a controversial restructure of the teams in the department, which would lead to five redundancies and require many other social workers to change roles, led to Unison holding large protests outside council meetings.