A SECOND Bath and North East Somerset Council meeting has been interrupted by the sound of ‘angry but determined’ social workers protesting outside.

Social workers took strike action and held a picket outside council offices in Keynsham, followed by a protest outside Bath Guildhall.

Councillors had to turn up the volume on their microphones to be heard above the protest, with demonstrators moving into the Guildhall as the meeting began.

A similar protest took place during a committee meeting earlier in March discussing changes to children’s social care.

Two separate issues led to a low point in industrial relations between the council and staff in its children’s social care department.

Team managers and deputies have been in dispute after a pay re-grading put them on the same level as some of the staff they managed.

At the same time, many social workers and children’s services staff have been told their role would be ‘deleted’ as part of a major restructure of the department.

Staff said the restructure would reduce their capacity to do their vital work, from early intervention to supporting foster parents.

A Unison spokesperson said: “This dispute has never been solely about pay.

“It is about our progression, a workable and safe structure, and the ability to retain skilled and experienced staff.”

Green Cllr Joanna Wright criticised the plans: “It appears to me, as a corporate parent, the frontline staff delivering for us are completely demoralised and disillusioned by the way B&NES senior management and the Lib Dem cabinet has decided to implement culture change.

“There needs to be real and meaningful consultation, all parties need to rebuild trust before any new systems are considered and implemented.”

A council spokesperson said: “We need to be clear the strike is about pay for a specific group of staff, and is separate to a children’s services restructure consultation.”