Joint SASW and SWU statement on terms and conditions changes at Aberdeen City Council
We understand that the City of Aberdeen Council is proposing to move much of its workforce, including social workers, from 37 to a 35-hour week by the start of April 2025.
The trade unions are strongly opposed to the proposals. The Social Workers Union has written to Aberdeen City but, so far, the Council has refused to meet with them on the grounds that they are not part of the collective bargaining agreement; having been blocked from TUC membership by some of the larger unions. We urge all those involved in the decision-making process to engage with every trade union that their workers contribute to. This is only respectful to employees.
Councils in Scotland are facing serious financial strain. They face increasing demand for public services fuelled by years of austerity and underfunding. The social work profession has experienced two decades of having preventative, early intervention and community work removed from their role and job descriptions. Families, individuals, and communities have lost significant supportive infrastructure and swathes of early support is now delivered through external contracts.
If this plan were to improve home/work balance by thoughtfully reducing the number of hours social workers work, SASW might support this - if there was no impact on pay. But simply cutting pay by reducing contracted hours will have significant and damaging consequences for workers and for people living in Aberdeen City. Based on the information we have, this move would see workers lose out financially each month and may affect their pensions. Reducing the hours of work, without increasing numbers of social workers or reducing demand for our services, will place an enormous strain on the workload of social workers who are already struggling to manage their cases safely.
The proposal to cut hours on its own, risks increasing long-term absences, will damage recruitment and jeopardise the fulfilment of local authority statutory duties. Social workers are already routinely working significantly more than their contracted hours to support their communities and keep people safe.
There is an ongoing recruitment and retention crisis in Scottish social work. This is driven by increasing workloads, ever-reducing resources, and an increase in the complexity of casework. Research shows that 25% of social workers are leaving the profession within 6 years of qualifying. Data from the SSSC shows that there are already significant vacancy rates in the social work teams in Aberdeen. Additionally, our new report with SWU on flexible working for social work shows that the workforce needs greater support and flexibility. Evidence from across the sector is clear that social workers need more time with people. They need lower caseloads and fair terms and conditions.
We are concerned this action sets a dangerous precedent for public services in Scotland. This appears to be in absolute opposition to the wide recognition of the need to invest in and support social work. The public understands that our profession plays a vital role in keeping people safe and upholding human rights.
SASW and SWU will raise these concerns with the Aberdeen Council directly. We will also engage with the Scottish Government, COSLA and the political parties that govern the Council. Our priorities remain the best interests of our members and the social work profession as a whole.
SASW members affected by the proposals at Aberdeen City can contact us at scotland@basw.co.uk.
Flexible working in Scottish social work a report from SASW and SWU | BASW