Barnet mental health social workers fair pay campaign

Mental health social workers employed by Barnet Council are in the midst of a period of strike action in an escalation of their ongoing pay row.

UNISON is calling for a recruitment and retention payment* to help the local authority hold onto experienced staff and attract new recruits.

Currently, only social workers in family services receive the financial supplement. This means newly qualified social workers in family services can earn more than those in mental health.

This has caused experience staff to leave as a result, and has left those who rely on the mental health support waiting a very long time to be seen.

• *A recruitment and retention payment is additional money on top of a salary, which is designed to keep or attract staff.
• Social workers will be striking Monday 13 May to Friday 12 July. There will be a picket line outside Barnet Council, 2 Bristol Avenue, London NW9 4EW from 8am to 10am on strike days.