Care workers across Scotland are preparing to strike later this month, marking the first national walkout in over ten years. The move comes after years of frustration over pay and promises unmet by the Scottish government, with staff from Enable Scotland set to take part in the action across several regions.
The strikes kick off on May 29 in East Renfrewshire, spreading through Aberdeenshire, Moray, Ayrshire, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. They will culminate in a rally and march at the Scottish Parliament on June 12, spotlighting the growing crisis in social care.
A Workforce Pushed to the Edge
Anna Baird, a personal assistant with Enable Scotland for eight years, spoke with emotion about the decision to strike. “I love my job and the people I support,” she said, “that’s why this was so hard. But we’re at breaking point.”
She described a sector where promises have been made but never kept. Pay, she explained, simply doesn’t match the responsibility carried by care workers daily. “Many of us are struggling to make ends meet,” Anna said. “We’re just asking to be valued for the vital work we do.”
Unison, the union representing care workers, says these strikes are a response to “years of broken promises and delays” from the Scottish government on reform and funding. Jennifer McCarey, Unison Scotland’s regional organiser, was blunt: “Not a single promise has been kept. The care sector is in crisis, and that responsibility lies squarely with the Scottish government.”
This crisis, McCarey added, means the sector will never attract or keep the workers it desperately needs—until pay and respect improve.
The Strike Schedule and Safety Measures
The strike action is spread over five days across different regions:
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May 29: East Renfrewshire
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June 1: Aberdeenshire
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June 3: Moray
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June 5: Ayrshire
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June 7: Edinburgh and Glasgow
During the strike, “life and limb” cover arrangements have been agreed upon with employers to ensure that urgent care needs are met despite the walkout. This means staff will still attend to emergencies, but routine care services will be affected.
The final day, June 12, will see a large march and rally at the Scottish Parliament, bringing workers, supporters, and advocates together to amplify their demands.
Government Response and Budget Pledges
The Scottish government’s Social Care Minister, Maree Todd, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but pointed to ongoing negotiations between unions and employers as the appropriate forum for resolving pay disputes.
She highlighted the government’s budget commitment: an additional £125 million in 2025-26 aimed at ensuring adult social care workers receive at least the real living wage of £12.60 an hour. This, she said, pushes total investment in social care pay improvements to £950 million.
Still, critics argue this falls short of addressing the crisis fully. Care workers like Anna Baird and their unions believe the money has yet to translate into meaningful pay rises or improved conditions.
The Bigger Picture: A Sector Under Pressure
The strike news coincided with warnings from Maree Todd about the impact of UK government policies on social care in Scotland. She told MSPs she expected more care services to close, blaming national insurance hikes and planned cuts to overseas workers.
Todd described these policies as “reckless” and “devastating” for the sector, which already faces recruitment and retention problems. The impact, she warned, threatens to worsen the crisis, pushing more care workers to their limits and forcing some providers to shut doors.
Recruitment challenges are especially tough in a sector heavily reliant on overseas workers. The combination of increased tax burdens and stricter immigration rules means fewer workers are available or willing to enter social care jobs.
The Human Toll and Urgent Need for Change
At its core, this strike is about more than wages. It’s about respect, dignity, and the future of care in Scotland. Care workers carry enormous responsibility—supporting the elderly, disabled, and vulnerable day after day.
The struggle of these workers reflects a sector stretched thin, underpaid, and undervalued. The upcoming strike shines a harsh light on that reality, forcing government and public alike to reckon with the cost of ignoring social care workers’ voices.
One cannot help but wonder: How many more promises will have to break before the care workforce feels truly supported? How many more will burn out or quit, leaving those who depend on them without help?
The coming weeks will be a test—not just for care workers striking, but for the entire social care system in Scotland.
